Lower the fitness, larger the waist size

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 18 (ANI): If you want to lose that stubborn belly-fat without any physical activity, you may need to think again. According to a recent study, low physical fitness is linked to a larger waist size and a higher degree of inflammation.

Researchers found an inverse correlation between waist circumference and fitness, regardless of Body Mass Index (BMI).

Inflammation is a localised physical condition in which a part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot and often painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.

According to researchers, the waist size can indicate the amount of excess fat found around the abdomen.

Lead authors Anne-Sophie and Wedell-Neergaard, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmar, conducted the study.

Study author Wedell-Neergaard said, "These results suggest that regardless of BMI, high fitness levels lead to a reduction in abdominal fat mass and low-grade inflammation."

"We found that fitness is inversely associated with both abdominal adiposity and low-grade inflammation

independent of BMI," Wedell-Neergaard added.

Previous studies have shown that excess abdominal fat may increase the risk of chronic system inflammation and metabolic diseases.

The team sought to investigate the association between fitness and waist circumference as well as the association between fitness and low-grade inflammation and whether there was a correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI).

The team analysed the previously collected data of 10,976 individuals from 'The Danish National Health Examination Survey 2007-2008.'

These individuals took a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) test to assess their physical fitness.

Their waist circumference, weight and height were measured with blood samples to measure their level of C-reactive protein, a nonspecific biomarker of low-grade inflammation.

Overall, the results suggested that increased fitness has the potential to reduce abdominal fat mass and inflammation, which may improve metabolic health irrespective of the BMI.

The research appears in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. (ANI)