Obese Black People at Higher Risk of Stroke | Bradenton Surgical Group
A new study reveals that a clear link exists between obesity and the risk of stroke in black men and women. Stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States, affects twice as many black people as white people. While prior studies have demonstrated a link between increased risk for stroke and obesity among white people, until now, a link between obesity and increased risk for stroke had not been specifically studied for black people.
“Based on the fact that we consistently found positive associations between obesity measures and ischemic stroke incidence in blacks in the present study, we believe that obesity, however it is measured, significantly increases ischemic stroke risk in blacks as well as in whites,” the researchers reported in the online journal Stroke on Jan 21.
Analyzing records of 13,549 men and women who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), the researchers discovered that the most obese black men had three times the risk of stroke compared to the thinnest black men, and the most obese black women were at a 43% higher risk of stroke than the thinnest black women.
This study has resulted in stronger evidence linking obesity to stroke risk in black people. Generally, for both black people and white people, the risk for stroke increases the higher the Body Mass Index (BMI). “Strictly speaking, clinical trials are now needed to determine whether obesity prevention or control would actually decrease stroke incidence,” Hiroshi Yatsuya, MD, of the University of Minnesota, said. “However, it would be reasonable to say we can prevent stroke targeting at obesity control and prevention.”