Doctors will now measure waist girth



Canada is the first country to start a program to ensure that doctors measure waist girth as a routine part of a normal physical. The Toronto Star’s article on April 27, 2011 emphasizes the importance of measuring waist girth and explains to patients the increased risk of diabetes. Check out the article:

Measuring your waist is a great way to see the health benefits of exercise and healthy eating without relying on the number on the scale. Here are a few tips courtesy of the heart and stroke foundation:

• Take your measurement while standing upright
• Inhale and exhale, letting out all the air in your lungs. Breathe normally.
• Place the tape around your waist, between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hipbones.
• Hold the tape firmly but don't press in.
• Make sure the measuring tape is parallel to the floor to avoid a misreading.
• Take the reading.

If you're a man and your waist measures more than 102 centimetres (40 inches) or a woman more than 88 centimetres (35 inches), you are at increased risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. For persons of Chinese or South Asian descent, you are at increased risk if you are more than 90 centimetres (35 inches) for men or 80 centimetres (32 inches) for women.

Erin Billowits
Owner
Vintage Fitness
416-951-7978