9781422288450

cardiovascular disease than those who have it around their thighs and hips. Doctors believe that this is because the fat that is found around the midsec- tion acts differently than that found on your lower body. Another hypothesis regarding excess weight’s role in cardiovascular dis- ease concerns the food choices we make. According to the theory, cardiovas- cular disease is caused largely by specific “bad” foods (such as high-fat foods). Many of these foods also cause weight gain, but the cardiovascular ailments are actually the result of the foods themselves rather than of excess weight. One of the major ways certain foods influence heart healthiness is through their effect on cholesterol levels. Some foods can raise harmful low-density lipoproteins (also known as LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and lower beneficial high-density lipoproteins (also known as HDL or “good” cholesterol). Countless studies have shown the link between heart disease and elevated LDL levels. Despite the prevalence of theories, doctors just don’t know with absolute certainty all the ways that obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease. The Good, the Bad, and the Artery Not all cholesterol is alike. Low-density lipopro- teins (LDL; “bad” cholesterol) stick to artery walls, build up, and create clogs. High-density lipopro- teins (HDL; “good” cholesterol) actually bind with the LDL molecules, keeping them from sticking to artery walls.

48 / Health Issues Caused by Obesity