The researchers examined men and women who had received medical tests and scans to identify the early signs of atherosclerosis – a condition that is linked to the development of cardiovascular disease - and they then looked at the relationship between the body shapes of those taking part in the study and the presence of atherosclerosis.
Just a few inches added to the waist increased the risk of damage to the arteries, even if body weight stayed within the normal range, the scientists concluded.
"We think the key message for people is to prevent accumulation of central fat early on in their lives. Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy," Professor James de Lemos, the leader of the research team, explained.
