1. Extra body fat, carried in the abdominal area that is out of
proportion to the rest of the body, is a risk factor for disease
and death by itself.
2. Waist circumference relates very highly to excess stomach fat
(as you would expect). This means that most people who have a
large waist measurement have excess stomach fat
-
it's not just overdeveloped muscles or "love
handles".
Some "Magic" Numbers
In the science of weight control, there are many magic numbers
that help indicate the risk of extra body weight, and classify
the degree of body fatness. BMI or body mass index is by now a
pretty familiar term for people who are keeping up with weight
control studies. Check out your member's area for the article on
body mass index and the body mass index chart accessible to all
under "weight charts" to find out what your body mass
index is. An important note: BMI is just one number that
indicates the relative risk a person has based upon excess body
weight, and it is not an absolute indicator of your risk of
disease.
Now, when you consider the BMI and waist circumference together,
you get a pretty good idea of a person's relative risk of
disease (compared to a person of "normal" weight). The
NHLBI or National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute put together
a chart that classifies extra body fat by BMI and waist
circumference and the risk of disease, which is summarized
below.
Where do you fit in?
Look up your
Basal
Metabolic Index (BMI)
& measure your waist circumference to find
out, (or have your doctor do this at your next visit).
Key points of the BMI-waist circumference classification
A waist circumference of greater than 40 inches (102 cm) in
men, and greater than 35 inches (88 cm) in women is a "cutpoint"
for increased risk of disease risk
factors compared to those at
"normal" weight.
For people who have a BMI of 25 to 29.9
("overweight" category), disease risk is increased.
For these same overweight people who have waist circumferences
of more than 40 in (men) or 35 in. (women), disease risk is high.
For people who have a BMI or 30 to 34.9 ("obese"
category), and waist circumference of 40 in. or less (men) or 35
in. or less (women), disease risk is high.
Now, those who are in the obese category, plus have a large
waist circumference, disease risk is very high.
When the BMI is 35 to 39.9, disease risk is very high,
regardless of waist measurement.
When the BMI is 40 or greater, disease risk is extremely
high, regardless of waist measurement.
These classifications and measurements help scientists to
determine how risky obesity is when it comes to getting deadly
diseases like heart disease and diabetes. If you are in a
high risk category based upon your BMI and waist circumference,
losing a few inches around your waist and lowering your BMI is
more than a cosmetic change - it can help to reduce your risk of
disease.
How to tighten your belt
Well, there's no proven way to "spot reduce" despite
all the gadgets being sold that promise a smaller waistline
without dieting! And, some stomach exercises can actually
increase waist circumference because they build up the stomach
muscles - this isn't bad, it just doesn't reduce body fat. The
only way to reduce stomach fat is to reduce total body fat - by
following your
PersonalDiets plan
and
eating guidelines and by increasing the calories
you burn off through physical activity. When you lose weight, it
will reduce body fat all over, but you may notice that it comes
off a little more quickly in some places. Be patient and let it
happen....you will get a smaller tummy!
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