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Belly Fat Tied to Macular Degeneration?
December 5, 2008
New research released by Dr. Tien Y. Wong in the Archives of Opthalmology (November issue) suggests that people who lose weight around their middle can decrease their odds of developing age-related macular degeneration. (Age related macular degeneration is one of the primary causes of severe vision loss among elderly people).
Dr. Wong, who followed 12,515 adults ages 45-64 for a 6-year period, considered waist-to-hip ratios in his study. (A greater waist-to-hip ratio translates into more belly fat). Dr. Wong found that a 3% or greater reduction in the waist to hip ratio over 6 years significantly dropped the odds of ever developing age related macular degeneration.
For subjects who were obese at the start of the study, an even more marked reduction in age-related macular degeneration risk occurred as a result of belly fat reduction. This highlights additional benefits of exercise, weight loss and keeping waist lines trim.
Topics: Health News