A new study
by researchers in Germany has found that waist circumference gives a better
prediction of diabetes risk than does BMI. Click here to download the article.

Currently, doctors use Body Mass Index, or BMI (a calculated weight-to height relationship — click here for the ND online BMI Calculator) as a tool to assess a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes (among other things). But this new study suggested that simply measuring waist circumference more strongly predicts risk of developing type 2 diabetes — especially among low- and average-weight people.

Waist circumference is a really useful guideline for overweight and risk of disease. Dr. Mehmet Oz, tv show host and author, says that your waist circumference should be one-half (or less) your height (both measured in inches). If you meet this criteria, chances are you are carrying a healthy weight and are at low risk for developing diabetes.

And according to Dr. Michael Roizen,
author and Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, men with waists 40 inches or more have 12 times the
risk of getting diabetes compared to men with a smaller than 36-inch
waist. For women, a 35-inch waist is that much riskier than having a
32-incher. (The most sensitive way to diagnose diabetes is to measure
the blood sugar fasting, and again two hours after taking 75 grams of
sugar–to see how your body can deal with the sugar.)

Credits to:Nutrition Data: Diabetes

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