 Being
overweight isn't just a cosmetic problem, it can be a serious
health hazard, increasing your risk of developing heart
disease and diabetes. The degree of risk not only depends
on the amount of excess weight you are carrying, but where
this weight has been stored.
Men tend to store excess fat around their stomach, developing a beer-belly, or
apple shape. Typically, women are more likely to develop a 'pear' shape, storing
fat around the hips, bottom and thighs, although some groups of women are more
prone to the apple shape, particularly African-Caribbean and Asian women and
women during or after the menopause. There are health implications for both apple
and pear-shaped people, but carrying your fat around your stomach, carries a
significantly greater health risk of diabetes and heart disease.
To find out whether you are an apple or pear shape simply measure your waist
and use our ready shape reckoner below. To measure your waist place the tape
horizontally around the stomach mid way between the bottom of your ribs and the
top of your hips. Ensure that the tape is snug and not twisted, and does not
compress the skin. Breathe out as normal, and take the measurement.
To find out what your waist circumference indicates, fill
in the boxes below. We'll do the rest!
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