Carrying too much weight around your middle increases your risk of diabetes and heart disease, that’s according to Ciara Heverin, Community Diabetes Dietitian with the Community Nutrition Service, HSE West. As today, November 14, is World Diabetes Day, Ciara wants to highlight the growing number of people being diagnosed with diabetes in Ireland.
People who carry too much weight around the middle are often referred as apple-shaped, whereas those who carry weight at their hips are pear shaped. An apple-shaped person has greater risk than a pear-shaped person even if they are both overweight.To measure your waist, find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. Midway between these two points, you can measure around your middle. With a value greater than 102cm (40 inches ) in men and 88cm (35 inches ) in women, you are considered at high risk.
Studies have shown that people with pre-diabetes who lose a moderate amount (around one stone ) of body weight reduce their chances of getting diabetes by 57 per cent. Changes to your diet will help to reduce your waist measurement, as will being as active as you can as often as you can. If you would like further information, please contact the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service on 091 548335.
