Reducing Belly Fat Might Reduce Risk of Dying!

There are lots of names for it (pot belly, belly fat, etc.), but no matter what we call it abdominal obesity is dangerous to our health.  Numerous research studies have reported that abdominal obesity, or excess belly fat, has been linked to poor heart health, poor blood sugar health, and chronic inflammation.  It has also been shown that a large waist size is linked to an increased risk of death regardless of one's body mass index (BMI).  However, the effect of a large waist size within different BMI categories remained less clear until a new obesity study published in the recent issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

For their study, obesity researchers analyzed data from over 48,000 men and over 56,000 women who took part in the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort.  Associations between deaths from 1997 - 2006 and waist size were examined after adjusting for BMI and various other risk factors.  The obesity investigators reported that:

• Very large waist sizes (> 47 inches in men and > 43 inches in women) increased the risk of death by more than 2 times.
• In men, an increase of about 4 inches in waist size was linked to an increased risk of death for those with a normal BMI (16%), overweight BMI (18%), and an obese BMI (21%).
• In women, a similar increase in waist size was also linked to an increased risk of death in all three BMI categories; 25% increased risk in normal BMI, 15% in overweight BMI, and 13% in obese BMI.

This new obesity study emphasizes the importance of getting rid of belly fat and maintaining a healthy waist size, regardless of one's body mass index!  Research suggests that abdominal obesity is particularly dangerous because it is linked with the development of fat tissue around internal organs.  According to the National Institutes of Health, a waist size over 35 inches in women and over 40 inches in men are linked to poorer health.  This new study expands upon that information indicating that very large waist sizes are linked to an increased risk of death.

Of course, the most interesting part of this study is the fact that this increased risk of death with increased waist size was even seen in men and women with a normal body mass index.  Therefore, even if one has a healthy body weight for their height, an overly large waist can still negatively impact their health.  The exact reasons for this are currently unclear and will require further research.  This finding may also add fuel to the debate on whether body mass index or waist:hip ratio are better measures of overall health.  In either case, be sure to make waist size an important part of your weight loss or weight control strategies.

My easy diet plan and physical activity plan, using my delicious, hunger-satisfying milk protein or soy protein bars and shakes, may help dieters to lose weight and reduce belly fat.  Tune in to watch me on QVC September 12th from 1 AM - 2 AM EST!