Waist Circumference

When it comes to assessing whether your weight puts you at risk for heart disease, experts have found that it's not just total body fat that affects your health; it's also where fat is deposited around your body. In particular, fat deposits around the waist and abdomen are associated with greater health risks, including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease.

This risk factor is very easy to check — no appointments necessary! You can measure your waist circumference yourself with any non-elastic measuring tape.

• Before you measure, make sure that you have just breathed out normally; don't "suck in," because this will give you inaccurate results.
• Wrap the measuring tape around your waist from one hip bone to the other. Make sure that the tape is snug but does not squeeze your skin, and that you are holding it parallel to the floor in a straight line across your waist.
• Make a note of the measuring tape length.

As you measure your waist, keep in mind that 35 inches or less is considered a healthy waist circumference for women.

If you have a larger waist circumference, don't panic! You can improve your health by taking action. You can also pledge to get screened for heart disease and invite your friends to do the same.