WAIST ISSUE: Today is your last opportunity to pig out before
those dreaded New Year’s resolutions. No doubt, the primary
resolution for most Americans is “lose weight.”

With that in mind, we pass along information about the
importance not just of losing weight – but losing “waist.”

Karen Collins of the American Institute for Cancer Research
tells us that waist size may tell you as much – or more – about
your health status as your overall weight or even your Body Mass
Index. That’s according to a new report from her agency, “Food,
Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global
Perspective.”

The report points to the dangers associated with larger waist
size as these measurements indicate greater amounts of abdominal
fat. Experts concluded that excess fat around the waist is a
convincing cause of colorectal cancer and a probable cause of
cancers of the pancreas, breast (after menopause) and uterus.

The report estimates a 5-percent increase in colorectal cancer
risk with each 1-inch increase in waist circumference. These
findings are echoed in a recently published analysis in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which reported that a
4-inch increase in waist size raised colon cancer risk by 16
percent in women and by 33 percent in men.

In addition to increasing your chances of developing cancer, a
larger waist is also an indicator of greater risk of heart disease,
diabetes and overall mortality. Surprisingly, some research
suggests that larger waist size signals increased health risk, even
among people whose overall weight or BMI falls within the healthy
range.

So how big is too big? Waist measurements above 34.6 inches for
women and 40.2 inches for men – the danger levels commonly cited in
government health guidelines – correlate to BMI figures that
indicate obesity. Waist sizes above these marks are strong
indicators of cancer risk.

AICR’s more conservative waist measurement guidelines – more
than 31.5 inches for women and more than 37 inches for men – are
associated with measurements that signal overweight. These figures
reiterate the expert panels’ judgment that cancer risk dramatically
increases once that overweight threshold is crossed.

The bottom line: Keep an eye on overall weight changes, but pay
particular attention to an expanding waistline. If the pounds start
to creep on, take measures to stop further weight gain
immediately.