Study challenges perceived lack of heart disease risk from 'healthy' obesity

A new study has revealed that obese individuals who have no signs of cardiovascular disease show a much higher prevalence of early plaque buildup in the arteries compared to healthy normal weight individuals.

The study challenges the idea of "healthy" obesity and recommends

Study challenges concept of 'healthy' obesity all obese individuals be counseled about their risks for cardiovascular disease and receive tips for achieving a healthy weight.

Yoosoo Chang, MD, lead author of the study and professor at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Total Healthcare Center for Cohort Studies in Seoul, said that obese individuals, who are considered 'healthy' because they don't currently have heart disease risk factors, should not be assumed healthy by their doctors.

The researchers said that the findings shows that the presence of obesity is enough to increase a person's risk of future heart disease and that the disease may already be starting to form in their body. It's important that these people learn this while they still have time to change their diet and exercise habits to prevent a future cardiovascular event.

The study was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.