Small Thigh Circumference Associated With Heart Disease
In a big Danish study with 1436 men and 1380 women average age of 50.1 years (MONICA study) it was found that those with a thigh circumference less than 60 cm, had a higher risk of heart disease and mortality.
The researchers state that the risk from narrow thighs could be associated with too little muscle mass in the region and low insulin sensitivity and type 2 diabetes.
This measure could be a fast and easy screening tool in the doctors office and a signal to do more lower body exercise to build or muscle mass
This study really caught my eye as we always think of high waist circumference and being overweight and increased risk of heart disease which indeed they are. However it is not good for us to be underweight either.
Its all about getting the balance right,
what are your thoughts on this study?
Source:http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8357&catid=1&Itemid=17
Being a Danish study, I'm guessing that the participants were Caucasian. Most Asians have thighs a lot slimmer than 60cm because of their bone structure, but have a much lower risk of heart disease and diabetes than Western nations. Also, did they control for other variables, like bone density, diet, lifestyle, genetics? Plus mixing in men and women doesn't seem like the proper way to conduct a study, because of the different bone structures between the genders. It's interesting, but probably not a very practical tool for measuring health.
ReplyDeletehoooray for big thighs and small waists!! LOL :)
ReplyDeletePalidor: fantastic points yep Asians are different and can't assume the results translate to all, I thought it would be thought provoking love Rebecca
ReplyDeleteSteph: he he
I haven't heard that one before, interesting. No worries about my thighs lol!
ReplyDeleteJanice: i know interesting study and a different result
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat is so strange! I've always thought the opposite!
ReplyDeleteFor me the study is too narrowly focused. Most "apple" shaped bodies such as mine, classicly do not have big legs, so it kind of says what they have said all along. While I know I am high risk, my lower body is rock solid. My husband says you can bounce a quarter off my ass (such language I know). I have been an active sports girl despite my size since I was a child. I have always been overweight even though I am very active. Besides this recent brief stint of inactivity I was working out about five to seven times a week.
ReplyDeletethe food hunter: i know thats why i thought a discussion would be fun lol
ReplyDeleteReeni: i know right
Lori: good points, wow your were very active
W/o reading the entire study results, I am surprised at the findings. I don't think I would want a doctor to take a shortcut to diagnosing heart disease by just measuring my thighs.
ReplyDeleteJudy its a screening tool to see who is at most risk of mortality from it, not a shortcut lol
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... interesting. I just measured mine at the widest point, they're 51cm. lol! I just lost weight to get to where i'm at though so i'm quite happy with the way I look. Not sure how much i' read into this study...
ReplyDelete