Black women with wide waists are equally at risk of early death as whites

Sep 14 2011

Ever since the mid-1970s when Harvard initiated what is now known as "The Nurses Study" we've been told that white women with waists over 40 inches, raised their risk of early death by 40% vs. their slimmer sisters who maintained waists in the 26 to 27 inch measure.

However, significant new data just published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Sept. 8) lead by Dr. Julie Palmer, shows that black women are equally at risk.

"There is really no surprise here. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and the countless other deadly ills directly related to obesity are color-blind. For the record, they are sex-blind as well," say boomer generation health experts Dian Griesel, Ph.D. and Tom Griesel and authors of the new book, TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust (April 2011, BSH).

Pounds add up. Studies are showing that obesity is starting earlier than ever. Our children ages 12-18 are reported as 18% being obese and baby boomers—the 81 million born between 1946-1964—are polled at a whopping 66%+ being either obese or overweight.

"Obesity is a medical time bomb. It threatens our lives, livelihoods, financial stability, families and our society at large," say the Griesels. "A look around tells us that the status quo of dieting is simply not working. Apparently, we all still believe we need to clear our plate—which wouldn't be a bad idea if it was filled with fruits and vegetables, which sadly, too often is not the case."

Source: New England Journal of Medicine