Waist size best predictor of heart risk: study

October 4, 2006

CTV.ca News Staff

The tape measure rather than the scale may be a better predictor of heart disease risk, says a forthcoming study.

The report, to be released Thursday, says that even a bit of a bulge around the tummy can put someone at elevated risk for heart disease.

"Probably half the population, if not more, have small tummies that can contribute to heart disease," said Dr. Arya Sharma of the Canadian Obesity Network.

Researchers have found waist circumference is a red flag for abdominal fat that may be lurking inside peoples' bodies and creating dangerous hormonal changes that can trigger high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease.

Obesity specialists have some new guidelines for waist size just above the hip bone:

Men: Should be below 94 centimetres (35.5 inches). The current standard is 102 cm (40 inches.
Women: Should be below 88 cm (31.5 inches). The current standard is 94 cm (35.5 inches).

CTV stopped a few people at random. Even though they looked reasonably slim, their waist measurements indicated risky levels of internal abdominal fat.

The way to quantify whether someone is overweight has been their body mass index, which is a ratio of weight to height.

A normal range is 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 30 is considered overweight, and the further one goes above 30, the more obese they are.

However, Sharma notes the BMI doesn't point to where the fat is on a person's body.

If the fat is concentrated around the abdomen, that could mean someone with an normal BMI is still at elevated risk for heart disease.

In research published in November 2005, Sharma touted the waist-to-hip ratio.

The ratio is calculated by measuring a person's waist and hips, then dividing the waist number by the hip one. A healthy woman should have a ratio under .85, while a healthy man should have one under .90.

"Let there be no mistake: Maintaining a healthy waist circumference should be the goal of every Canadian," said Prof. Robert Ross of Queen's University.