Illinois State University Exercise and Body Composition Relationships of Total and Regional Body Composition to Morbidity and Mortality

Illinois State University Relationships of Total and Regional Body Composition to Morbidity and Mortality l High BMI –(overweight) l High waist/hip ratio –(abdominal fatness) l Important health risk factors for some severe and disabling conditions.

Illinois State University BMI l BMI and fitness must be considered together. l Those with higher BMI and higher CV fitness are at lower risk than those with lower BMI and lower CV fitness –(Blair, 1999) l Fit and Fat

Illinois State University Relationships of Total and Regional Body Composition to Morbidity and Mortality Remember: l high BMI and high waist/hip ratio may reflect underlying genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors that may substantially affect their health implications.

Illinois State University Factors That May Impact Relationship l Socio-cultural and demographic factors –age (menopause) –sex –race (ethnicity) –income and education –socioeconomic conditions and hygiene

Illinois State University Factors That May Impact Relationship l Lifestyle Factors: –smoking habits (including past smoking habits) –dietary intake (e.g., amount and type of fat, antioxidants) –alcohol consumption –physical activity

Illinois State University Factors That May Impact Relationship l Health-related factors –background prevalence of disease –genetic predisposition to diseases –presence of diseases –presence of other risk factors

Illinois State University Factors That May Impact Relationship l Biometric factors –stature (including history of stunting and wasting) –fat distribution –body proportions (leg length/sitting height) –history of large fluctuations in weight

Illinois State University Body Composition and Morbidity l There has been established a continuous increase of the risk of coronary heart disease with increasing BMI values. l BMI has also been recognized as an important risk factor for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Illinois State University Body Composition and Morbidity l Other life threatening diseases include: –osteoporosis –breast cancer –osteoarthritis

Illinois State University BC and Respiratory Function l Hypoventilation syndrome l Sleep breathing disorders

Illinois State University BC and Mortality Rates l The increased mortality at the higher end of the range of BMI values can be readily explained by an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, NIDDM, and cancers of the breast, endometrium, and prostate.

Illinois State University Risk l A waist to hip ratio <0.72 is considered healthy. l >0.88 increases one’s risk 3.25 times.

Illinois State University Waist to Hip Ratio l If your gut is bigger than your butt, you’re at greater risk!

Illinois State University Risk BMI (kg/m 2 ) Men < 102 cm (< 40 in) Women < 88 cm (< 35 in) >102 cm (> 40 in) > 88 cm (35 in) IncreasedHigh High Very High > 40 Extremely High Grundy et al, MSSE, 1999 Waist Circumference

Illinois State University Waist Circumference l If you spend more time working on your 12 pack….

Illinois State University Waist Circumference l …and less time working on developing a 6 pack, you’re at greater risk!

Illinois State University Summary l Weight loss seems to have at least short -term beneficial results for all who tend to suffer from conditions such as coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, NIDDM, hypertension, or mechanical problems of overweight.

Illinois State University Summary l Because therapy for the attainment of “optimal” weights are commonly unsuccessful, the concept of “reasonable” weight and weight loss goals should be further developed.

Illinois State University Summary l From a public health viewpoint, it is desirable that emphasis be placed on the prevention of overweight, but preventive strategies are mainly theoretical. l None has been proven to be successful.

Illinois State University Summary l Genes account for 20-40% of the risk for being overweight.

Illinois State University Summary l However, there can be no change in the gene pool in one decade. l In any case, you can’t change your genes, but you can control and adjust your behavior.