Overweight, in your 40s, and not worried about heart disease? Think again!

A ten-year study of more than 20,000 Dutch men and women has shown that larger waist sizes and higher body mass index (BMI) were strongly associated with 3-4 times the cardiovascular deaths and almost twice the rate of cardiovascular disease than normal weight controls.  Average age was 43 years--an age group not usually very concerned with heart health. Men with a waist circumference greater than 40.1 inches (102 cm) compared to those less than 37 inches (94 cm), and women with waist circumferences greater than 34.5inches (88 cm) compared to those less than 31.5 inches (80 cm) had significantly greater incidence of fatal and non-fatal CVD. Persons with a BMI greater than 25 accounted for 54% of fatal CVD.

PositiveTip: Once again we are reminded that being overweight significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death--even among those in their 40s.