Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
We generally think of looking better when we talk about losing weight, but there are health dangers associated with obesity and the lifestyles that contribute to it. This week on Health Watch, we’ll talk about some of the health risks associated with obesity and some ways of fighting it.
It’s not just the number on the scale that determines your health risk. Where you carry fat has a lot to do with your risk for heart disease. Dr. James de Lemos, a cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says people who carry more fat around their middles have more plaque in their arteries. The waist-to-hip ratio is a stronger indicator of risk than body mass index or weight is. Doctors believe that fat in the abdomen secretes inflammatory proteins that help cause plaque buildup. That means that diet and exercise to prevent a pot belly from developing can make a big difference in your risk for heart disease.
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September 2007
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