Why Swimsuit Season Isn’t the Only Reason to Reduce Your Waist Size
By Jonny Bowden
The main reason people over 65 wind up in the hospital is heart failure. And the very best predictor of whether or not you’re likely to get heart failure might surprise you.
It’s waist size.
A new study published in the journal Circulation tracked data from two Swedish population-based studies. Together, the studies included 80,000 men and women, aged 45-83. All participants filled in questionnaires about their height, weight, waist size, and other vital statistics. Researchers then followed the subjects for seven years.
The researchers found – not surprisingly – that overweight was linked to a risk for heart failure. But they also found that even within the normal weight range (with a body mass index, or BMI, of 25 or less), those who had an extra 10 cm (about 4 inches) on their waist had about a 15 percent higher risk. This went up to 18 percent for those who were heavier (with a BMI of 30 or more).
Nutritionists and smart doctors have long known that a 35-inch waist for women and a 40-inch waist for men represent danger points for insulin resistance. And insulin resistance is the cornerstone of Metabolic Syndrome, also known as pre-diabetes, which significantly increases the risk for heart disease.
If your waist is over 35 inches (for women) or 40 inches (for men), it’s time to start doing something about it. I’ve found that a low carbohydrate, low glycaemic diet is one of the most effective ways to combat abdominal fat and reduce the size of your waist.