Keeping active may play a larger role in heart health than weight,
according to results of a four-year study of more than 900 women.
Researchers say that lack of activity increases risk of heart problems
more than being obese or overweight does.
From 1996 to 2000, investigators tracked the medical histories
of 906 women whose mean age was 58. At the study's start, 76 percent
were overweight. Participants were interviewed about their ability
to perform common physical activities at home, work and at leisure;
for example, how easily could they climb a flight of stairs, run
a short distance or walk around the block without stopping.
During the course of the study, 68 of the participants died and
about half of the participants had a cardiovascular-related problem,
such as a heart attack or stroke.
Researchers analyzed the participants by weight and activity. Exclusive
of weight, women who were at least somewhat active were less likely
to develop heart disease or related problems than women who were
not very active. Study authors say the results suggest that a greater
emphasis should be on fitness, not weight. They also suggested that
female heart disease patients should increase activity because of
its positive effects on the cardiovascular system.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity activity for women every day.
A second study found the opposite results when evaluating weight
and activity for their affects on the risk of developing adult-onset
diabetes. Being overweight or obese put participants at a higher
risk for the disease than simply being inactive.
While the report indicated that increasing activity slightly lowered
the risk of diabetes, an increased body mass made the risk significantly
greater.
However, physical activity does have a positive effect on weight.
Researchers suggest at-risk patients work to lose weight AND increase
activity.
Journal
of the American Medical Association September 8, 2004;292:1179-1187.
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