Thigh circumference and mortality

A study by Danish researchers claims that patients with the thinnest thighs died sooner than the more endowed and obesity, age, smoking and other factors did not reduce the effect.

To look into the association of thigh size and death risk, researchers examined 3000 Danes (1463 men and 1380 women) in 1987/88 for height, weight, thigh, hip and waist circumference and body composition. They were then followed up for 10 years for incidence of heart disease and 12.5 years for total number of deaths.

During the follow-up period 257 men and 155 women died, also 263 men and 140 women experienced cardiovascular disease and 103 men and 34 women suffered from heart disease. It was found that men and women whose thighs were less than 24 inches in circumference were more likely to die during those 12 years. Those with the thinnest thighs, less than 18 inches, were more than twice likely to have died within 12 years.

The explanation may lie in many different studies that suggest where you gain your weight is a strong factor in how it affects health. People with lots of abdominal fat, wrapped in and around the internal organs, appear to be at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other illnesses. So-called pear-shaped people may have lower risks, even if they have more body fat overall.

Many studies have shown waist size can also be a good predictor of heart disease and death. Women with a waist circumference of greater than 35 inches and men whose waists are more than 40 inches have a much higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and early death, regardless of how much body fat they have overall.

This is again linked to abdominal fat. Fat under the skin, as when it is found on the legs, may be healthier for the body, although the mechanism is unclear.

The above findings suggest that there might be an increased risk of premature death related to thigh size though more studies are needed to confirm the findings.