Keeping active may play a larger role in heart health than weight, according to results of a four-year study of more than 900 women.

Researchers say that lack of activity increases risk of heart problems more than being obese or overweight does.

From 1996 to 2000, investigators tracked the medical histories of 906 women whose mean age was 58. At the study's start, 76 percent were overweight. Participants were interviewed about their ability to perform common physical activities at home, work and at leisure; for example, how easily could they climb a flight of stairs, run a short distance or walk around the block without stopping.

During the course of the study, 68 of the participants died and about half of the participants had a cardiovascular-related problem, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Researchers analyzed the participants by weight and activity. Exclusive of weight, women who were at least somewhat active were less likely to develop heart disease or related problems than women who were not very active. Study authors say the results suggest that a greater emphasis should be on fitness, not weight. They also suggested that female heart disease patients should increase activity because of its positive effects on the cardiovascular system.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity for women every day.

A second study found the opposite results when evaluating weight and activity for their affects on the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes. Being overweight or obese put participants at a higher risk for the disease than simply being inactive.

While the report indicated that increasing activity slightly lowered the risk of diabetes, an increased body mass made the risk significantly greater.

However, physical activity does have a positive effect on weight. Researchers suggest at-risk patients work to lose weight AND increase activity.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association
Posted October 1, 2004

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