Newsbites: Feelings of well-being and cardiovascular disease; “body roundness;” ultraprocessed foods and bone health
Feelings of Well-Being Associated with Lower Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) stand as the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, so finding ways to lower risk is essential. A team of researchers found that greater feelings of well-being are associated with lower risk for CVD.
The researchers analyzed data from surveys of over 121,000 adults in the United Kingdom. They looked at general happiness and satisfaction with family, friendships, health, and financial situations. Reported levels of well-being in these areas were then compared to incidence of four major CVDs: coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Higher well-being was associated with significantly lower risk of all these conditions.
Participants with greater well-being also had healthier lifestyles behaviors. They were less likely to smoke, spent less time watching television, got more sleep, and were less likely to have a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range. They also had lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood.
This study suggests mental health interventions could play a role in reducing risk for cardiovascular disease.
Body Roundness Index Proposed to Replace Body Mass Index
Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been a shorthand method for determining if one’s weight may negatively impact health. But there are limitations to this measure. For one, it is not a measure of body composition or fat distribution. Body builders and others with a lot of muscle may be classified as overweight or obese on the BMI scale. Other existing measures of body fatness are complicated and/or expensive.
Since higher abdominal obesity (also called visceral obesity) is associated with higher risk for diseases like cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, researchers searching for a better measure looked at “body roundness” as a contender.
The study analyzed data from nearly 34,000 U.S. adults over 10 years. A Body Roundness Index (BRI) was calculated with a formula that used participants’ waist circumference and height. Participants’ BRI increased gradually over the years, especially among women, elderly individuals, and individuals who identified as Mexican American. After 10 years, just over 10 percent of participants had died. The researchers found a U-shaped association between BRI and death from any cause. This means that people in both the lowest and highest BRI categories were more likely to die than those in the middle. (As with BMI, people who are ill or frail are more likely to have a low BRI.)
It is known that carrying excess body fat increases risk for health problems. While we wait for better measures, we can still make lifestyle choices that support reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. These include making the kind of healthy dietary choices advocated in this newsletter, watching portion sizes, being as active as possible, and aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep a night.
Ultraprocessed Foods Associated with Lower Bone Health Measures
Researchers comparing intake of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) with bone health found that higher intake of UPFs was associated with thinner, less dense thigh bones. It was also associated with higher odds of having osteoporosis. Weak bones increase risk of fractures which reduce quality of life, increase rates of hospitalization and disability, and can increase risk of death.
Ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) have undergone intensive industrial processes and contain substances not typically found in home kitchens, including artificial colors and flavors. They tend to be of low nutritional value and be higher in saturated fat, sodium, and/or added sugars than less processed options.
This study, which analyzed data from 10,678 eligible U.S. adults (454 of whom had osteoporosis) also found that physical activity had the potential to lessen the effect of UPFs on bone health. Weight-bearing physical activity (including walking, body-weight exercise like yoga, and strength training) increases bone mineral density.
Replacing UPFs with whole and minimally processed options is a good choice, as is getting regular physical activity. Together, they may be able to help keep your bones strong.
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