Body mass index (BMI) is simply a ratio of your height to weight, and is of assistance to health professionals in categorizing a person according to body type, which in turn is helpful in determining certain cardiometabolic risk factors. This lets you know if you’re on a path toward developing certain health issues such as diabetes or a heart condition.
In order to determine any association between cannabis (marijuana) use and cardiometabolic risk factors, 253 males were followed from the ages of approximately 7-32 years. The usage of cannabis was evaluated annually from 12-20 years of age, and again at ages 26, 29 and 32. The physical assessments occurred at their final visit and consisted of checking body mass index, lipid profile (HDL, LDL, etc.), waist-to-hip ratio, fasting glucose, blood pressure, insulin resistance and more.
Greater cannabis exposure was associated with better results in all evaluations as well as fewer metabolic syndrome criteria. The authors of this study determined that most of the lower cardiometabolic risk factors were attributed primarily to the lower BMI, which was associated with cannabis use in males.
(The young ages listed in this study does not mean this entity is promoting or condoning the use of cannabis in juveniles.)
