RT Journal
A1 Rexrode KM, Carey VJ, Hennekens CH, et al
T1 ABdominal adiposity and risk of heart disease—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1999
FD June 23
VO 281
IS 24
SP 2284
OP 2285
DO 10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-281-24-jbk0623
UL http://dx.doi.org/10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-281-24-jbk0623
AB 
In Reply: As Drs Seidell and
Bouchard suggest, increased abdominal adiposity may be due to factors
such as hyperandrogenism. However, recognizing that individuals with
abdominal adiposity are at higher risk of heart disease is important,
whether or not the underlying etiologic factors can be treated. Dietary
changes, weight loss, and/or physical activity have been shown to
decrease abdominal adiposity1- 2; however, most
interventions that reduce abdominal adiposity also have an effect on
weight. Data on whether change in WHR will improve cardiovascular
outcomes is scant. One 3-year study of a dietary modification and
modest exercise program vs a standard low-fat diet achieved a
significant reduction in WHR with a moderate decrease in weight.
Cardiovascular risk profiles improved and incidence of cardiac events,
as well as all-cause mortality, was significantly reduced in the
intervention group.3