For many people, the middle-aged spread is as much a part of getting older as laughter lines, and receding hairlines. But research suggests that even the smallest of pot bellies may be a serious health risk. The Times August 14th page 2 has a very interesting article. The headline reads, Tummy test signals heart risks ahead.
“Dr James de Lemos said: “In our thirties and forties, we often gain three to four inches in the midsection. It’s a day-to-day, meal-to-meal battle, but it’s worth fighting. We don’t have to clean our plates. It’s better to throw food out than add it to our waists. Even a small pot belly puts us at higher risk when compared to a flat tummy.”
He added, “Researchers examined the relationship between body shape and early signs of disease in the arteries. They found that the likelihood of there being calcium deposits in the arteries grew in direct proportion to the increase in waist-to-hip ratio.
June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: “People who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing heart disease. The risks are even higher when fat is mainly concentrated around the abdomen.”
And I agree from the point of creating a good impression too. It is very important that we take a holistic approach. We need to consider our overall body shape and general health and well-being as well as our weight.
Take the test:
- To calculate your waist-hip ratio, use a tape measure to find the size of your waist (measure at the mid-point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips) and then measure your hips.
- Divide the first number by the second.
- For men, a healthy ratio is under 1.0 and for women it is under 0.85
- Above that point the higher the ratio, the more your heart is at risk
- A man’s health is also at risk if the circumference of waist is more than 37 inches (94cm) and at a high risk if it exceeds 40 inches (102 cm)
- For women these figures are 32 inches (80cm) and 35 inches (88cm)
"Come on Mel, let’s get out the tape measure and stand of the scales; draw up a diet plan and exercise routine. We can do it!" Wish us well!
PS And guess who lost another 1lb! Happy Days!
Posts
2 comments:
Eilidh I think this is really useful, much better than BMI calculations. It gives me a target I mustn't exceed - which is what I need.
Kath
Hello Eilidh, sorry its taken a while to look at your blog - blame taking old labrador for his hydrotherapy - you know who I am. Did the test and oh dear!! need to take myself in hand. Difficult to do at bank holiday weekend so for now, with similar thoughts to your fridge magnet notes, I'm cheering myself up with a picture in my kitchen which says "Never Trust A Skinny Cook"!! Intend to "start again" tomorrow. x
Post a Comment