Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Is Your Waist Size Putting Your Health at Risk?

Fats around your middle means a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. It may also be a high risk for stroke.

People who tend to have weights around their waist are called "apple shaped", while those who gain weight at hips and thighs are called "pear shaped".

Research says that putting on fat around our waist have higher health risks, because perhaps certain hormones may play a role. Genes and aging are other risk factors as well.

Another key reason for a larger waist is lack of exercise, and working out may be a solution. According to a study, even a small amount of exercise like a 30-minute walk daily can help overweight people lose belly fat and can even stop it from building up in the first place.

So, what's an unhealthy waist size for an average person? Men who have waist that measures 40 inches or more are at a higher risk, and women with waist measurement of 35 inches or more are at risk.
Check it yourself using a tape measure. The tape should be snug around your waist, but shouldn't squeeze into your skin.

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