People who are obese but metabolically healthy still have a significantly increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, MedPage Today reported.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers analyzed a cohort of 4,202 people for a seven-year period in order to assess the biggest risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Researchers focused on tracking both the body mass index and metabolic health of each participant. Metabolic health was measured by tracking the participants’ blood pressure, triglyceride and glucose levels, insulin resistance and high-density lipoprotein levels.
Throughout the study, 9.3 percent of participants developed diabetes, and 3.4 percent developed cardiovascular disease.
Overall, both obese people and normal-weight people who were metabolically unhealthy appeared to have the highest risk for developing both cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
According to the study’s authors, these findings support the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s recommendations that doctors spend more time focusing on obesity – and treatments for obesity – during patient visits.
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