If you want to live a longer life, you have to live a slimmer life. This is according to a study that was recently conducted that showed that Nigerian women and other women of color who are obese are more at risk of dying earlier than their white counterparts. There have also been some concurrent studies that have shown that women that have larger waist measurements have an increased risk of death.
Who Were Involved In These Studies?
The more recent studies were published in a leading medical journal, and the studies were compromised of over 33,000 black women that ranged in ages from 20 to 70. These women did not have any preexisting conditions like heart disease or cancer, and they were all nonsmokers. The participants were then evaluated on different levels including their current BMI (Body Mass Index), the size of their waist, and their chances of dying within a 13 year time frame.
What Did The Studies Reveal?
The comprehensive studies revealed that for every five increments their BMI increased, the chance of death increased about 19 percent. And even though these women were not experiencing any abnormalities in their cardiovascular systems, the more obese the women were, the greater the risk was of succumbing to a cardiovascular related death. The women with a lower BMI had the lowest risk, but women that were classified as being either overweight or obese were two to three times more likely to have cardiovascular issues.
The other interesting finding that the studies revealed was that the risk of death in women of color increased in those that had a BMI that was over 25. This is similar to their white counterparts.
Weight Is Not the Only Issue
Nigerian women and black women do not only have their weight to worry about. The amount of belly fat that a woman has can also place her at risk for an early death. Women who have a waist size greater than 35 inches are twice more likely to die due to increased body fat than women with a smaller waist.
Belly fat can create numerous health problems for a woman including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and inflammation.
The Trend Seems To Continue
Even with all of the information that is available about weight loss, at the current rate, 60 to 70 percent of women of color will be considered as being obese and having waist sizes that are greater than 35 inches within 10 years. The chances of an early death would greatly increase, and these deaths would not all be cardiovascular related.
Health Conditions That Can Bring Obese Women and Men Closer To Death
A bigger waist size does not only affect women, but it can also create health problems for men. Belly fat can be associated with respiratory failure, certain cancers, and other degenerative diseases. This problem is not a regional issue; it has become a global concern.
What You Can Do?
The best way to increase your lifespan is to start living a healthier life. There are small changes that you can make that will add years to your life. You can:
- Eat Healthy Foods
- Stop Smoking
- Drink More Water
These simple changes will decrease the size of your waist, and decrease your chances of dying early.