A research project funded by The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will investigate the link between obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD). A grant of over £84,000 has been awarded to researchers at the University of Glasgow and St George's Hospital Medical School in London.

The research team, led by Dr Naveed Sattar, of the University if Glasgow, aims to identify how obesity leads to heart disease and, as a result, improve risk prediction for heart disease among people who are obese. The research also aims to identify possible methods of reducing levels of obesity and heart disease.

Coronary heart disease accounts for over 120,000 deaths each year. It is estimated that five per cent of deaths from CHD in men and six per cent of deaths from CHD in women are due to obesity and this figure is rising_. In the UK, around 20 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women are obese with a further 45 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women overweight.

The study will look at two chemicals in the body, which are related to fat production ﾖ leptin and adiponectin.

The researchers believe that Leptin levels could be a more accurate measure of body fat than the current BMI. Adiponectin is produced in the body to help keep blood vessels clear.

Dr Naveed Sattar, who is based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said:

"As obesity is on the increase world-wide, it is likely to be a major cause of heart disease in this and future generations. Currently it is unclear how obesity leads to heart disease. Through this research we are hoping to help improve prediction of heart disease risk in obese people."

Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:

"We hope that this research will help us to understand the effect that obesity has on the heart and identify new ways of monitoring people who may be at risk and ultimately reduce the number of deaths from heart disease in the UK."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

British Heart Foundation Coronary Heart Disease Statistics Database 2003

The British Heart Foundation is a major national charity that plays a leading role in the fight against heart and circulatory disease, the UK?s biggest killer. It is the largest independent funder of heart research in this country. The Foundation also plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care

To investigate the role of these products in the body, the researchers will analyse the blood of 4000 men taken between 1998 and 2000. Samples will be analysed for levels of leptin and adiponectin and compared with the amount of physical activity they do, together with levels of obesity and traditional risk factors for heart disease. The researchers wish to examine if levels of leptin and adiponectin can account for the beneficial effects of physical activity on CHD risk.

A further 500 samples from patients who subsequently developed heart disease and 1000 from a control group who have remained disease free over 15 years will also be analysed to establish whether levels of leptin and adiponectin can be used to predict heart disease over and above classical predictors such as cholesterol and blood pressure

Obesity is currently measured by body mass index (BMI), this can be calculated by dividing weight (kgs) by size (m_). A BMI of over 30 is considered obese

For further information contact Judith or Kate at the University of Glasgow Press Office Tel: 0141 330 3535 or Catherine Henwood at the British Heart Foundation Press Office Tel: 020 7487 7172.

First published: 24 October 2003