HikeArizona.COM

From their analysis, they found that for each 1cm (0.4 inches) increase in calf circumference, the risk of death was reduced by five percent.

In another study, led by researchers at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Italy, scientists discovered that calf circumference was directly linked to strength elsewhere in the body.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/arti ... -live.html

@chumley

the risk of death was reduced by five percent

Not to deter from this undoubtedly sound study, but isn’t the risk of death always 100 percent?

Unless I am wrong, I am pretty sure there is a 100 percent chance that we will all die and I do not think anyone has been able to reduce that number yet.

@FOTG
Who ya gonna believe? A reputable rag like the Daily Mail, or the HHS secretary?

I think they should define where calf stops and cankle begins..... if not, it would likely skew the numbers.

If the calf is more muscular, health experts say it is a strong indicator of better physical performance, which applies especially to the elderly.

My, how HAZ has changed over the years.

chumley wrote:or the HHS secretary?

RFK Jr., Camelback, 92 degrees....

OK, against my better judgment, I read it. The metric seems captures two risk factors without helping distinguish between them. It would have been more interesting if they followed up on those who died and tried to separate out the causes. How many died of belly-too-big vs. calves-too-small? Frailty is a real danger, but my money is on visceral fat taking a higher toll.

I can always tell when another school year has begun, because Lee’s naturally sunny disposition really shines.

@big_load
I appreciate when a “journalism” outlet provides a link to the actual studies referenced in their clickbait. I mean, article.

Oh no! Even though I've been doing 20+ mile/5000+ AEG day hikes for decades my waist-to-calf ratio is 2.5 and the study says that only ratios 2.4 or lower are considered healthy! Plus I'm 60 now, sarcopenia is accelerating, and probably cognitive impairment too! I'm doomed

toddak wrote: ↑Aug 10 2025 2:59 pmcognitive impairment

I believe several meta analyses have confirmed that reading the HAZ forum is a strong contributor to this decline.