Many residents of Anguilla are either overweight or obese. Knowing your weight can give you a good idea if you are obese or overweight, but other measures have been shown to be more accurate in determing if you are at risk of developing health complications related to your weight. Waist circumference (WC) is an indicator of health risk associated with excess fat around the waist.
Health prevention
Several individuals in Anguilla are suffering from hypertension and diabetes. These two chronic diseases are having a tremendous impact on the health resources of Anguilla. We must continue to adopt measures to help prevent these conditions. Adopting healthy lifestyles have been shown to help decrease these conditions. There are several indications that have been shown to give a good estimate of your risk for developing various health conditions. Measurement of your waist circumference is a very good predictor of your risk of developing weight related conditions.
Waist circumference
You can get an idea of whether or not you are at risk of obesity-related chronic diseases by measuring your waist circumference. A waist circumference of 102 centimetres (40 inches) or more in men, or 88 centimetres (35 inches) or more in women, is associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
These measurements apply only to adults, not to children. They also do not apply to pregnant women.
Generally, the larger your waist circumference, the higher your risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Your waist measurement is an indicator of the level of internal fat deposits which coat the heart, kidneys, liver, digestive organs and pancreas. This can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Measurement of waist circumference
You can visit your healthcare provider to have a check-up and have other investigations done. You can also measure your own waist circumference by doing the following:
1. Find the top of your hip bone and the bottom of your ribs.
2. Breathe out normally.
3. Place the tape measure midway between these points and wrap it around your waist.
4. Check your measurement.
If you have checked your waist measurement and you think you are at risk then consult your doctor. There are several things you can do to decrease your risk factors and improve your health.
Other indicators for overweight and obesity
In addition to the waist circumference measurement, the body mass index (BMI) is another indicator of your risks to your health related to your weight. Various other tests like knowing your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, are also important in assessing your overall risk factors for various diseases.
What can you do to decrease your waist circumference?
If you think your waist circumference is abnormal, first visit your healthcare provider. A full assessment of your health risks is needed. Adopting healthy eating, regular exercise, can all help to decrease your waist circumference.
Although targeted abdominal exercises, such as sit-ups, might tighten the muscles around your midsection, they would not eliminate belly fat. Instead of attempting to spot-reduce fat around your waistline, aim for overall fat loss through a healthy diet and both aerobic exercise and strength training.
Conclusion
Knowing your waist circumference is important in assessing your risk of developing various health conditions. If most of your fat is around your waist rather than at your hips, you are at a higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. If you are concerned about your waist circumference see your healthcare provider.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
