Women carrying excess fat around their waistline are almost twice as likely to develop gallstones that are large enough to require surgery.   Most gallstones are made of built-up cholesterol and are most common in affluent countries, like the United States. Each year Americans undergo 800,000 gallstone operations.

The Nurses’ Health Study examined 42,000 women during a 14 year time period.  At the beginning of the study, none of the women had gallstones.  However, after 14 years, approximately 3,200 women (7.6%) needed to have gallstone surgery.  Amongst these women, those with waist measurements greater than 36 inches were twice as likely to develop gallstones requiring surgery. 

Higher waist/hip ratios also increased the risk of gallstones.  Women with a ratio of 0.86 were 40% more likely to have gallstones than those with a ratio of 0.7 or less.  Abdominal fat is more “metabolically active” than fat stored in other areas of the body and is linked to metabolic syndrome (a combination of risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke).  Research has found that gallstones are also linked to metabolic syndrome.

The best way to combat a higher risk of gallstones is to maintain a healthy weight through regular physical activity (as little as 30 minutes per day of activity) and a healthy diet.

Source: HealthDay (Feb. 14, 2006)