Avoid fat in your tummy for a healthy heart

Patients, and even some doctors, are unaware that abdominal fat and waist circumference are important risk factors for heart disease which kills 17 million people worldwide each year. This finding comes from a latest survey shows that it is not just patients, but even 40% of the doctors, do not know that a bigger waist is a big problem. In another study it was found that a bigger waist increases the risk of diabetes.

So how big should your waist be?

It all depends on your height, race, etc., but a waist size of 88 centimetres (35 inches) for women and 102 centimetres (40 inches) for men in North America puts them in the high risk category for heart disease. Waist measures differ to take into account physique and lifestyle differences around the world. The figures are slightly lower for people living in Central and Latin America, the Middle East, India and Asia at 80 cm for women and 90 for men. In Japan the high risk category is 90 cm for men and 85 for men and 80 cm for women and 94 for men in the rest of the world.

"Measuring waist circumference is an easy, low cost indicator that should be added to measurements of other cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, lipid levels and blood glucose," according to Professor Sidney Smith of the World Heart Federation (WHF).

How can you reduce your waist size?

1. Of course, exercise is key so that if you do gain weight, you do not add fat in your tummy, but actually gain muscle overall.
2. Stay away from rich and deep-fried dishes. In other words, keep your calories consumption in alignment with your lifestyle.
3. If you are obese, you must speak to your doctor and consider options like gastric bypass surgery, liposuction for losing weight, lap band surgery, obesity surgery, etc.

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