Your Waist Size May Predict Heart Disease Better Than Your Weight

Your waist doesn't just measure your size—it may measure your future heart health

Most people judge their health by the number on the weighing scale. While body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) are useful, they do not tell the whole story.

Where your body stores fat is just as important as how much fat you have.

Fat that accumulates around the abdomen, known as visceral fat, surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike the fat beneath the skin, visceral fat is biologically active. It promotes chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

This is why some people with a normal BMI may still have a high risk of cardiovascular disease if they carry excess abdominal fat.

Fortunately, assessing this risk is simple. Measuring your waist circumference is one of the easiest and most practical ways to estimate abdominal fat.

For South Asian adults, a healthy waist circumference is generally:

• Men: Less than 90 cm (35 inches)

• Women: Less than 80 cm (31.5 inches)

Reducing waist size is not about doing endless abdominal exercises. The most effective approach combines regular physical activity, strength training, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight over time.

Clinical Pearl

The weighing scale tells you how much you weigh. Your waist measurement often tells you where your health risks lie.

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Source: International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Health Organisation (WHO), American Heart Association (AHA).