Thinner thighs, weaker heart
Posted: 04 September 2009 0808 hrs
PARIS : Women and men with thighs under 60 centimetres (23.5 inches) in circumference face a far higher risk of premature death and heart disease, according to a study released Friday.
The surprising find could provide doctors with an additional barometer of cardiac risk, the authors say in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Berit Heitmann and Peder Frederiksen of Copenhagen University Hospital examined data for 1,436 men and 1,380 women whose body measurements were taken in Denmark in the late 1980s.
Over the next dozen years, more than 400 participants died and another 540 suffered either cardiovascular or heart disorders. Men outnumbered women roughly two to one.
Survivors without heart problems had significantly thicker thighs once other risk factors - obesity, smoking, high cholesterol - were taken into account, the investigators found.
"A 'threshold effect' for thigh circumference was evident, with greatly increased risk of premature death below around 60 cm," the study concludes.
The bad news, for those with ham-like upper legs, is that bigger thighs do not seem to offer any advantage.
"Above the threshold there seemed to be no additional benefit ... for either sex," the study said.
Those with the thinnest thighs were more than three times times likelier to die compared with those with the 60-centimetre (23.5-inch) thighs, and more than twice as likely to have heart problems.
The Danish team suggest small thighs could be a pointer of low cardiac muscle mass, but further research is needed.
Earlier studies have shown a clear link between heart disease and obesity or underweight, but this is the first to look at the implications of thigh size on coronary health.
The authors suggest it could join other measures currently used to assess cardiac risks include body-mass index (BMI), as well as waist and hip circumference.
But at least one independent expert was skeptical that the new findings will become a diagnostic tool.
"It seems unlikely that thigh circumference will be clinically useful," wrote Ian Scott of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, said in a commentary, also published in the BMJ.
- AFP/il
It seems like the best way is to keep fit, not too much and not too little. The key is to indulge, but never to over indulge.
Keeping fit can be quite a chore especially when it means living in a foodie haven in Singapore. But we can always learn to live with good food and yet live healthily. Never underestimate a good clear bowl of fish soup beehoon, it can really fill you up, but yet is not packed with calories. Ask for more vegetables with your food. I don’t believe in sacrificing flavour so if your dish requires the need to include an unhealthy ingredient such as pork fat, go ahead and include it (unless you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or other diseases, then I would suggest you opt for a healthier alternative), but remember to live healthy for the rest of the week, put in more effort on the thread mill.
If you are constantly on the go, you may want to consider packing light lunches such as sandwiches. If you get bored of sandwiches, consider including salads in your lunchbox. Create a balanced diet by including wholemeal foods, some protein (such as salmon) and remember to put in lots of vegetables!
Its all about finding the right balance, to lead a good lifestyle
Posted: 04 September 2009 0808 hrs
PARIS : Women and men with thighs under 60 centimetres (23.5 inches) in circumference face a far higher risk of premature death and heart disease, according to a study released Friday.
The surprising find could provide doctors with an additional barometer of cardiac risk, the authors say in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Berit Heitmann and Peder Frederiksen of Copenhagen University Hospital examined data for 1,436 men and 1,380 women whose body measurements were taken in Denmark in the late 1980s.
Over the next dozen years, more than 400 participants died and another 540 suffered either cardiovascular or heart disorders. Men outnumbered women roughly two to one.
Survivors without heart problems had significantly thicker thighs once other risk factors - obesity, smoking, high cholesterol - were taken into account, the investigators found.
"A 'threshold effect' for thigh circumference was evident, with greatly increased risk of premature death below around 60 cm," the study concludes.
The bad news, for those with ham-like upper legs, is that bigger thighs do not seem to offer any advantage.
"Above the threshold there seemed to be no additional benefit ... for either sex," the study said.
Those with the thinnest thighs were more than three times times likelier to die compared with those with the 60-centimetre (23.5-inch) thighs, and more than twice as likely to have heart problems.
The Danish team suggest small thighs could be a pointer of low cardiac muscle mass, but further research is needed.
Earlier studies have shown a clear link between heart disease and obesity or underweight, but this is the first to look at the implications of thigh size on coronary health.
The authors suggest it could join other measures currently used to assess cardiac risks include body-mass index (BMI), as well as waist and hip circumference.
But at least one independent expert was skeptical that the new findings will become a diagnostic tool.
"It seems unlikely that thigh circumference will be clinically useful," wrote Ian Scott of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, said in a commentary, also published in the BMJ.
- AFP/il
It seems like the best way is to keep fit, not too much and not too little. The key is to indulge, but never to over indulge.
Keeping fit can be quite a chore especially when it means living in a foodie haven in Singapore. But we can always learn to live with good food and yet live healthily. Never underestimate a good clear bowl of fish soup beehoon, it can really fill you up, but yet is not packed with calories. Ask for more vegetables with your food. I don’t believe in sacrificing flavour so if your dish requires the need to include an unhealthy ingredient such as pork fat, go ahead and include it (unless you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or other diseases, then I would suggest you opt for a healthier alternative), but remember to live healthy for the rest of the week, put in more effort on the thread mill.
If you are constantly on the go, you may want to consider packing light lunches such as sandwiches. If you get bored of sandwiches, consider including salads in your lunchbox. Create a balanced diet by including wholemeal foods, some protein (such as salmon) and remember to put in lots of vegetables!
Its all about finding the right balance, to lead a good lifestyle
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