Waist Size Matters, Too: Abdominal Far and Health Risks

Some research suggests that not all fat is created equal. Fat that accumulates around the waist and chest may be more dangerous for long-term health than fat that accumulates around the hips and thighs. Abdominal fat plays a role in the development of insulin resistance and inflammation, which has been implicated in heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. It’s also possible the abdominal fat isn’t worse than fat around hips and thighs but instead is a signal for overall body fat. Women in the group with the largest waists had a similarly high risk of death from cancer or any cause, compared with women with small waists. The risks increased steadily with every added inch around the waist. The Shanghai Women’s Health study found a similar relationship between abdominal fatness and risk of death from any cause in normal weight women.

Staying Active

Although there are no specific recipes for good health, a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise comes close. Regular exercise or physical activity helps many of the body’s systems function better, keeps heart disease, diabetes and a host of other disease. According to the physical Activity Guidelines, being physically active on a regular basis:

•  Improves our chances of living longer and healthier
• Helps protect us from developing heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and undesirable blood lipid patterns.
• Helps us protect from certain cancers. 
• Helps prevent type B diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
• Helps prevent the insidious loss of bone known as osteoporosis.
• Reduce the risk of falling and improves cognitive function among adults. 
• Relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves mood.
• Prevent weight gain, promotes weight loss and helps keep weight off after weight loss.
• Improves heart-lung and muscle fitness. 
• Improves sleep.