This is a great article--certainly worth reading
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Belt-tightening is smart when the economy tanks -- but it's even smarter if you want to avoid diabetes. A new study underlines what we YOU Docs have been saying for years: Waist size is more important than weight. And in this case, size does matter:
Smaller is better. Turns out big waists are a critical reason why twice as many older adults in the U.S. have diabetes than in England. American men's waists are 1.5 inches larger than Brits'; women's are 2 inches bigger. Fat is a lot like real estate: It's all about location, location, location.
Belly fat is dangerous because if those gooey globules are collecting round your middle, you can bet they're also causing inflammation in your liver, blood vessels and immune system. That puts you at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, too. But you can get rid of those love handles. (Trust us, your lover will find lots more interesting body parts to grab onto.)
1. Scrap your scale: You're better off keeping a tape measure handy and measuring your middle instead.
2. Know your goal: Women, aim for a 32.5-inch waistline; 37 max. Men, shoot for 35 inches, and keep it below 40. Any bigger and health problems increase greatly.
3. Try these moves: Walk 30 minutes a day, and do exercises that strengthen your abdomen, legs and upper body -- they'll shrink your waist, too.
4. Eat all day: Yep, that's right. Research shows that people who eat six small meals throughout the day (versus two or three big meals) have smaller waists.
Thanks Docs for a great article.
