We all need good nutritious food to nourish our bodies, including our hearts. However, the food should be the right kind and the right quantity. The kind of food eaten, the caloric content, and the nutritional value should all be taken into account. Eating habits are developed at an early age, so even our children's diets should be balanced. Studies have shown that obesity alone, with no other risk factors, can cause strain on the heart.
Obesity increases blood pressure and cholesterol and can lead to diabetes.
People who are approximately 30 percent over their ideal body weight are more prone to develop heart disease. Also, according to the AHA, the distribution of fat on the body may influence the risk of heart disease. The ratio of waist measurement to hip measurement calculation is a good indicator of body fat distribution. Ideally, the ratio should be no greater than 1.0 for men and 0.8 for women. Dietary cholesterol is another issue.