FAT AND HEART DISEASE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 14

FAT AND HEART DISEASE

Need For Reduction In Weight "The Press” Special Serricc AUCKLAND. November 12. People who cat a lot of fat are more likely to suffer from coronary licart disease than others are. Dr. E. G. Sayers, senior physician at Auckland Hospital and dean designate of the Otago Medical School, told the Auckland Rotary Club at its luncheon recently. Dr. Sayers, who was speaking on “some reflections on health.’’ advised his listeners: “The important thing is to reduce your weight and if you keep it down you will not cat large quantities of fats. “If you have a bad family his. lory of this disease, or already have it. a stricter reduction of animal fats is suggested.’’ The problem of coronary heart disease was associated with the higher standard of living today, according to Dr. Sayers. Recent research suggested that a high consumption of saturated fats--butter, cream and meat tended to cause arteriosclerosis, while certain unsaturated fats—mainly vegetable fats—were not harmful, and might even be helpful. Dr. Sayers also said that six times more men than women suffered from coronary heart disease. Exercise was apparently' important in avoiding the disease but Dr. Sayers questioned its effect on losing weight. “You need to walk 80 miles, swim for seven hours or cycle for 14 hours to lose lib of fat.’’ he said. Eighteen holes of golf were equivalent to the effect of avoiding 800 to 1000 calorics. “But.” he said, "if you have a bottle of beer at the 19th. nine holes have gone immediately.’’

Dr. Sayers said there was more evidence of coronary disease among drivers of London buses than among conductors and more among telephone operators than among postmen.