A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that lowering Body Mass Index (BMI) may help reduce the risk of various obesity-related diseases. The research, conducted by deCODE genetics/Amgen, found that for some conditions like fatty liver disease, glucose intolerance, and knee replacement, the genetic link to disease disappears when BMI is taken into account. For other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and stroke, the effects are largely reduced but not entirely explained by BMI.
The study used genetic data from Iceland and the UK Biobank, and its results showed similar patterns in men and women, although some differences were noted, particularly for myocardial infarction. The scientists also found that changes in BMI over time rather than a single measurement may explain some of the remaining risks.
While lowering BMI can reduce the risk of obesity-related diseases, other factors such as changes in weight over time or strong correlations with BMI may still play a role. This research highlights the importance of BMI in disease development and suggests that targeting weight loss may be an effective strategy for reducing the risk of these diseases.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/this-single-lifestyle-factor-can-reduce-your-risk-for-stroke-heart-attack-diabetes-and-more