Does Your Waist Size Predict Your Heart Attack Chances?

That extra weight you’re carrying around your mid section not only has a big effect on your image, it can also have a devastating effect on your health.

An annual survey entitled “Shape of Nations”, which involved more than 11,000 people from 27 countries, was recently released and it suggests that fewer than 20 percent of Canadians aren’t aware of the serious consequences of abdominal obesity, which include increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

There are, of course, other factors that contribute to the increased risk of these health problems, including smoking, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

The term “cardiometabolic risk”, which also goes by a number of other names including metabolic syndrome, syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome, has recently been adopted to describe the cluster of classic factors (noted above) and emerging factors such as abdominal obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance, that contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

But according to the study, many Canadian doctors still don’t recognize too much weight around the mid-section as a heart disease risk.

Seventy-four percent of Canadian physicians surveyed said they recognized the term “cardiometabolic risk” but only 35 percent of them recognized abdominal obesity as a risk factor for heart disease.

Many doctors believe cardiometabolic risk is caused by resistance to insulin (the chemical created in the pancreas that helps control blood sugar).

Here are some tips on reducing your risk of insulin resistance (courtesy of the Mayo Clinic):

Lose Weight: Losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can reduce insulin levels and blood pressure, and decrease your risk of diabetes.

Exercise: Doctors recommend getting 30 to 60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, every day.

Stop Smoking: Smoking cigarettes increases insulin resistance and worsens the health consequences of metabolic syndrome. Talk to your doctor if you need help kicking the cigarette habit.

Eat Fibre Rich Foods: Make sure you include whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables in your grocery cart. These items are packed with dietary fiber, which can lower your insulin levels.