Ischaemic heart disease - Obesity or increased waist to hip ratio Factor
This covers 2 factors:
- Being obese
- Having a waist to hip circumference ratio exceeding 1.0 (for men) and 0.9 (for women)
Morbid obesity is covered under a separate contention.
Establishing the presence of obesity or being overweight
If it is not possible to obtain specific height/weight or waist/hip measurements, a medical comment that the veteran or member was obese or met the required circumference ratio will be sufficient. If height/weight or waist/hip measurements can be obtained, the BMI formula or circumference ratio should be applied.
Waist to hip circumference ratio
This ratio is calculated by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement e.g. 120 cm ÷ 100 cm = 1.2.
Whereas the Body Mass Index (BMI) measures total body fat, the waist to hip circumference ratio measures the distribution of body fat. Fat stored around the waist poses a greater health risk than fat stored on the hips. This distribution of body fat is commonly referred to as being an “apple” shape as opposed to a “pear” shape where fat is stored below the waist on hips, thighs and buttocks. The apple shape is predominantly a male phenomenon, although women are more prone to develop an apple shape in mid-life, particularly after menopause.
While efforts should be made to obtain details of the veteran's waist and hip measures, if it is just not possible to obtain specific waist/hip measurements, a medical comment that the veteran or member met this circumference ratio will be sufficient.
Last reviewed for CCPS 27 April 2010.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title |
PDF Format |
Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimant Report | Obesity or Increased Waist to Hip Ratio | ||
| Medical Report | Obesity or Increased Waist to Hip Ratio |
Preliminary questions [7880]
38903 the veteran was overweight or obese for at least five years at some time.
38904 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and VEA service for ischaemic heart disease.
38905 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and VEA service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
38906 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and operational service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
or
38908 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and eligible service for the clinical onset of ischaemic heart disease.
or
7334 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.
7335 the condition under consideration permanently worsened.
38907 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and VEA service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
38909 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and operational service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
or
38910 the veteran has established the causal connection between being overweight or obese and eligible service for the clinical worsening of ischaemic heart disease.
Clinical onset and operational service [38906]
33413 the veteran was overweight or obese for at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
38911 the veteran being overweight or obese was caused by operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [38908]
22359 the veteran was overweight or obese for at least 5 years within the 15 years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
38912 the veteran being overweight or obese was caused by eligible service.
Clinical worsening and operational service [38909]
33415 the veteran was overweight or obese for at least 5 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
38913 the veteran being overweight or obese for at least 5 years commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
38911 the veteran being overweight or obese was caused by operational service.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [38910]
22360 the veteran was overweight or obese for at least 5 years within the 15 years before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.
38913 the veteran being overweight or obese for at least 5 years commenced after the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
38912 the veteran being overweight or obese was caused by eligible service.