There are some simple things we really can do on our own to keep an eye on our health status. Hip to Waist Ratio is an easy way to gauge wellness. All you need is a measuring tape. Our waist circumference, measured at the navel, should measure smaller than your hip circumference. You should measure your hips at the widest point of your hips and butt. If your waist isn't smaller, you have a risk factor for having a heart attack. Additionally, if our waist measurement is bigger than 39. 6" for men or 39" for women, you have another risk factor.
Fat stored around the stomach is perceived to be worse for us than fat that found elsewhere. Abdominal fat is more than just a storage place where extra calories end up. Rather, it should be thought of as an active inflammatory body part, spitting out inflammatory substances, slowly damaging our organs and blood vessels and contributing to musculoskeletal soreness! The bigger around you are, the more inflammation you are producing. Abdominal obesity really is a greater risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes than other body obesity. It is a risk factor for dementia, as well. Recent medical research has found a direct relationship between weight problems and cancer too.
The Foods that contribute to abdominal obesity are trans-fats and sugar. In order to avoid trans-fats, stay away from foods that contain the word "hydrogenated" anywhere in the ingredients. Often times food will boast "0 grams Trans Fats!" when in actuality they contain up to. 5 grams of trans-fats for each serving. Legally, food companies are allowed to do this. It's similar to allowing a food product claim its made of 100% beef. The USDA allows it to claim this if it is really 50% beef and 50% something different. A lawsuit against Taco Bell earlier in the year brought this subject to the our attention. White flour, corn syrup and refined grains should all be avoided. They contribute to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and higher insulin levels and infection. As a side note, the American Dietetic Association believes it is OK for 25% of our calories to come from added sugars, reflecting the opinion of the sugar industry. The rest of world want us to cap intakes to ten percent of our total calories.
So now you possess a simple wellness assessment that takes seconds to complete. If your waist is bigger than 39" around, or measures bigger than you hip circumference, work to change this. Choose to live healthier. Make sure you have exercise and you have a healthy eating plan, and focus on eliminating trans-fats and sugar altogether and you will be on your way to a better life.
I hope you found this information useful. If you would like to learn more, contact your local chiropractic care facility.
Recommendations: Circulation, 4/1/08 Vol. 117, pp. 1624-1626; The Lancet, Vol. 366, Issue 9497, 11/11/05, pp. 1640-1649; Neurology, 3/26/08; The world is Fat, Dr. Barry Popkin, 2009, pp. 127-128.
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