Both general and central obesity are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in middle-aged men and women, a prospective cohort study has found. Data from 14,941 men and women aged 45-64 (mean 54) years, taking part in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study were analysed. The participants who were African American or white were recruited from four centres in the US. Body mass index, waist circumference and waist:hip ratio were measured at baseline. Mean follow-up was 12.6 years.