For years experts warn of too much belly fat, because it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. According to a Brazilian study, however, are compromised of active, normal-weight men, the relationship between waist circumference and the body size is close to the normal.

More and more study data suggest that the waist-to-size ratio (the waist circumference divided by body size) can be drawn to say the risk for cardiovascular disease better than Body Mass Index (BMI), commonly used to draw conclusions about the body fat. As the limit for a normal relationship between waist circumference and body size, a value of 0.5. Everything about it indicates an increased risk.

The Brazilian researchers had observed, but also in men with a ratio between 0.45 and 0.5, the heart rate returned to normal after an endurance training only after a long time. This period is associated with a higher risk for diseases of the circulatory system.

"We have found that normal weight, diseases, physically active, healthy persons without any history of metabolic or cardiovascular disease, whose waist-size ratio close to the risk factor-is limit, more common heart disorders can develop as people with less fat in the Taillenbereich", Professor Vitor Engrácia Valenti of the São Paulo State University, said.

The researchers divided 52 physically active men between the ages of 18 and 30 years, according to their waist-to-size ratio in the three groups. After a 25-minute endurance workout on the treadmill was measured by how quickly your heart rate returns to the resting value accessible.

ZOU