One-meter waistline predicts high risk of diabetes and heart disease

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that those with a waistline of one meter or more are at serious risk of insulin resistance.
We already know that waist measurement is an important indicator of the risk of heart disease. Now a team at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, adds to this with a new insight on the link between waist measurement and insulin resistance.

They looked at 2,746 healthy male and female volunteers aged between 18 and 72. Their body mass index varied from 18 to 60 and their waist circumference was between 65 and 150 cm. Insulin sensitivity was worked out from a blood test.

Waist circumference proved to be a very strong independent predictor of insulin sensitivity. Having waist circumference of less than 100 cm excluded insulin resistance in both sexes. This is a very simple tool for predicting insulin resistance, which predisposes towards diabetes and heart disease. Fortunately, a healthy diet and regular exercise can decrease waist circumference to less than a meter and so reduce health risk.

Source
BMJ Online First 14th April 2005