Why Your Belly Fat Could Be Deadly

Why Your Belly Fat Could Be Deadly

Belly fat is a common problem that many people (especially the United States). There may be a correlation between having a big belly and having say, a big behind? The answer is ... no, because the location of body fat seems to be a more important factor in your overall health. In fact, a study conducted by researchers at Macmasters University in Hamilton, Ontario, found that the location of body fat (rather than the amount of fat a door) is more indicative of a probability suffering a heart attack.

In addition, Dr. David Heber, Ph. D., of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition gave similar results. According Heber, the distribution of body fat is more accurate in predicting the risk of a heart attack rather than the more conventional body mass index (BMI), the ratio calculated using your height and weight.

As you can see, it seems that his overall body shape is more concise predictor of fat body has an effect on your health. This is consistent if your body is shaped more like a pear, an apple, or even if you are fairly symmetrical from head to toe. For example, someone with a big ass, thighs, or size may be less likely of a heart attack than a person with chopsticks legs but a huge belly.

It turns out that the waist-hip ratio is a more concise predictor of the risk of a heart attack.

So how do you get your waist-hip ratio?

First, you divide your waist measurement by that of your hip. For example, say that measuring your waist is 34 inches, while your hip measurement is 40 inches 34/40 = 0.85. Now, for a man is a decent equation, but for a woman is pushing, you lean a little more on the unhealthy side.

For men the ratio should not exceed 0.90

For women the ratio should not exceed 0.85

However, while the body fat location can be a good indicator of your health, the actual shape of your body is quite natural.

Apples people remain in apple shape shaped as pear-shaped people will do the same, there is no sense in fighting against nature. One of the first steps to losing weight is to simply accept the shape of your body. In fact, in a study led by psychologist Dorothy Heffernan, Ph.D. in Glasgow, Scotland, the researchers found that women who did not have the body they wanted were much less likely to follow and stick to a weight loss program than those who do.

Now it can hit close to home but do not forget that the first step is to accept the shape of your natural body after you want to focus on reducing the amount of fat around your middle and tummy areas. Concentrate on your girth rather worry so much about the gap between your chest and the lower size.