What is the relationship between abdominal obesity and risk of ischemic stroke?
The relationship between abdominal obesity and risk of ischemic stroke has been studied in several prospective studies. In a meta-regression analysis of prospective studies, de Koning et al. (2007) found that both waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were significant predictors of cardiovascular events. Additionally, the Northern Manhattan Stroke Study (Suk et al., 2003) found that abdominal obesity was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Finally, Walker et al. (1996) found that body size and fat distribution were predictors of stroke among US men.