Variability of body weight and health outcomes in the Framingham population

Article Abstract:

Weight cycling (losing and regaining weight with repeated dieting) has been associated with higher mortality, especially from heart disease. However, weight loss from dieting is often not distinguished from weight loss caused by illness. This study included 1,804 women and 1,367 men from the Framingham Heart Study, which was initiated in 1948 to provide detailed information on a carefully observed group over an extended period. Weight and illness were carefully monitored. Persons whose body weight fluctuated often or by a large amount had a higher risk of illness and death due to coronary heart disease than persons who maintained a stable weight. In fact, the risk was comparable to that of being overweight. Among the possible explanations is that persons who are at higher risk for coronary heart disease are also more likely to be on weight-loss regimens. Alternatively, weight-reduction diets and subsequent relapses (regaining weight) may increase risk. If the latter is found to increase risk, it has important public health implications in a society in which half of all women and one-quarter of all men are dieting at any time. This is especially important because the relation between weight cycling and adverse outcomes was greatest among the youngest group, those aged 30 to 44 years. The risk of weight cycling may be greater than that of obesity, suggesting a greater emphasis on skills to maintain weight loss and prevent relapse. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Reducing diets, Body weight, Framingham Heart Study

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Dietary lipid predictors of coronary heart disease in men: the Framingham Study

Article Abstract:

Heart disease is still the nation's biggest killer. In an effort to reduce the toll of heart disease, various medical organizations have begun issuing guidelines that they hope will reduce the risk of cardiovascular deaths. One such suggestion is that the American public should adhere to a diet that is low in saturated fats and cholesterol. Some studies show that a low-fat diet can decrease the chance of heart disease. Over 800 men were recruited and monitored for both their dietary intake and their degree of coronary artery disease. Those members of the group who were between 45 and 55 years old and who followed a low-fat diet were found to have a lower rate of heart disease than those with a higher fat content to their diet. Those patients who were 55 and older experienced little effect from their diets on their rate of heart disease progression. Thus, recommending a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet might decrease the chance that the patient in question will develop coronary heart disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Low-fat diet, Low fat diet, Low-cholesterol diet, Low cholesterol diet

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Association between plasma homocysteine concentrations and extracranial carotid-artery stenosis

Article Abstract:

Hyperhomocysteinemia and low concentrations of folate and vitamin B6 appear to be associated with an increased risk of carotid artery stenosis in the elderly. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a condition in which plasma levels of homocysteine are higher than normal. Inadequate folate and vitamin B6 concentrations in the blood are associated with the condition. A group of 1,041 people over the age of 66 were divided into two groups based upon the severity of stenosis in two carotid vessels. People with high levels of homocysteine were found to be twice as likely to be in the group with more severe stenosis than those with normal homocysteine concentrations. Higher concentrations of folate and B6 in the plasma were related to less stenosis, while lower concentrations of folate and B6 were found in patients with more severe sclerosis.

Complications and side effects, Arteriosclerosis, Homocysteine, Vitamin B6, Pyridoxine, Cysteine, Homocystinuria

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