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A recent study published by the
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
, confirms the close link that exists between abdominal fat and the risk of heart or cerebrovascular accidents.
The reason?
The fat that accumulates around our abdomen alters the metabolism of sugar and cholesterol, triggering the risk of coronary diseases and diabetes.
And while it's always been known that having a belly, even if you're skinny, increases your chances of having a heart attack, there's now a lot more emphasis on watching your waist-to-hip ratio.
Controlling weight is important, of course, but the main indicator of health is our waist circumference.
Waist and heart in women and men
In this matter, women have the advantage.
Despite the fact that the percentage of fat is higher than in men, ours turns out to be a much healthier fat.
Its distribution in the breasts, hips and thighs is necessary for the fertility and survival of the mother and the baby during pregnancy and lactation.
The risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks or strokes) is higher in those with a waist measurement greater than 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women, according to the World Health Organization.
And the risk is believed to be substantially increased in men with a waist wider than 102 cm and 88 cm in women.
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