Overweight and the Effects on Heart & Brain

More scientific studies are forthcoming showing the association of fat tissue, the production of inflammatory substances from the fat cells (primarily the abdominal fat cell), and the dangers to many of our organs.

In a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers followed the development of heart failure in a diverse group of 7000 men and women, ages 45 to 84, who were enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The goal of the research was to determine how obesity increased the risk for developing congestive heart failure (CHF). To date, 79 subjects in the study have developed CHF. Within that population, 44% were obese. The researchers found that obese participants had elevated levels of interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen (these are inflammatory compounds coming from the fat cell) compared to normal-weight participants. These chemicals are part of the body's defence response and the inflammatory processes. The researchers conclude that the connection between obesity and CHF is the pathophysiologic pathway created by inflammation. (The MESA Study: J Am Coll Cardiol 2008)

In another study 50 subjects were analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans These were middle-aged men and women and it was found that lower concentrations of chemical present in both white and gray matter corresponded with higher BMIs, indicating abnormal brain function. The strongest association between BMI and brain metabolic abnormalities was found in the frontal lobe, the area of the brain most prone to damage during the aging process. The study's authors suggest that white matter ages at an accelerated rate in obese individual, based on the data gathered. An alternative hypothesis offered by the researchers is that obese adults are often overweight as children and excess adipose tissue could have a negative impact on brain development. It was not possible to determine if the brain metabolite abnormalities were solely related to excess body fat or if other health problems, such as nutrition of lack of exercise, were a contributing factor. However, the study adds to the growing body of evidence that obesity and overweight are linked to the development of dementia. (Annals of Neurology: 2008 by Gazdzinski)

As these studies show, caring extra adipose tissue is a medical risk. We must move away from treating weight as a ‘cosmetic problem', and help people treat weight issues as importantly as we focus on cholesterol and hypertension. Just losing 10 % of our weight can have a significant benefit on reduction of disease(s).