A scientific study revealed that the accumulation of fat in the waist area, accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass, significantly increases the risk of death in people over the age of fifty.
The study lasted for about 14 years, during which researchers tried to identify the most important factors that increase the risk of death in old age, and they analyzed the medical data of more than 5,400 study participants.
Scientists focused on two simple indicators used during clinical examinations: waist circumference and muscle mass index. The results showed that when a person suffers from muscle atrophy and high levels of vegetable fat together, they are 83% more likely to die compared to those who do not suffer from obesity or low muscle mass.
The researchers also noted that the effect of each factor individually was less pronounced; abdominal obesity alone was not associated with a significant increase in the risk of death, while a lack of muscle mass alone raised the risk rate by about 40%.
Based on their findings, the researchers believe that exercise and maintaining physical fitness are among the best ways to maintain health and reduce the risk of death with age. Exercise helps burn accumulated body fat and maintains muscle mass, in addition to its positive effect on heart and artery health.
