History & Mission  |   Why Subscribe   |   How to Subscribe   |   Special Offer Sample Issues   |   Examples of Topics Covered   |   Home   February 2009  Tighten your tummy for health benefits arrying extra weight in your midsection is not just a vanity concern. It’s been linked with an increased risk for some serious health problems, says Dr. Patricia A. Bloom of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She says that “increased abdominal girth” may be associated with “metabolic syndrome,” which may include hypertension, insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides and low HDL (or “good” cholesterol). But don’t target belly fat specifically. Instead, says Dr. Bloom, reduce your risk through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, taking brisk daily walks and eating more fruits and vegetables and less fat. You might also think about taking a yoga or pilates class to help slim and strengthen your belly muscles and improve your balance and flexibility. Check out the numbers: You can gauge your risk for metabolic syndrome by figuring out your waist-to-hip ratio and your body mass index (BMI). The first is easy to do. Just divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference. If the number is more than 1.0 for a man or .85 for a woman, you could be at risk. Your BMI is harder to figure but worth doing—because the results may surprise you. Doctors use a special scale to do it and you can use a calculator. The formula: divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared (if you’re 5’4”, multiply 64 x 64). Then multiply the result by 703. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and 30 or greater is considered obese.   Fun, easy ways to boost your brain power (click) Tighten your tummy for health benefits (click) G-U-L-P to a better memory (click) Front Page Feature | Interchange | Research Review | Elder Issues | Parenting On the Job | We Recommend | A Healthy You | Home

www.workandfamilylife.com      © 2009 Work & Family Life