This article studies the association between BMI and CHD in young adults.

Here is a summary of the article:

This is a population based longitudinal study with data from the Korean national health insurance service. It includes a study population of over two million men and women between 20-39. They tracked the outcome of patients who had two health exams, one in 2002-2003 and then in 2004-2005. In total, 30,372 CHD events were recorded. They also noted other factors that were associated with increased risk for CHD such as older age, lower household income, tobacco/alcohol use, HTN, and increased glucose levels.

The results showed that higher BMI was associated with increased risk for AMI and CHD in young adults. This risk was significantly elevated for every unit increase in BMI for both sexes. This is because obesity increased the risk for other cardiovascular factors such as HTN, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes. BMI loss was also associated with reduced risk for AMI and CHD.

The study had limitations, such as only using BMI which does not reflect on fat distribution as well as waist circumference does. In addition, because it was just a longitudinal study, they did not investigate why the patients lost weight (other health concerns that may have been involved.) The advantage of the study is the large sample size which allowed the researchers to adjust for other metabolic factors and gives a lot of weight to the results and lets it be more generalizable.

I found this study interesting because it is the first study to show that losing weight and maintaining a normal BMI can decrease the risk for CHD among young adults. Previous studies have only focused on older adults and the elderly. As obesity continues to be a major health crisis in America, particularly affecting young people, it is important to understand the cardiac risk factors that can be associated. Healthcare providers need to appreciate these risks so they can properly educate their patients and help them make healthier lifestyle choices.

Here is the article:

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