Waist Size - a window to your heart health and other indicators of your health and wellbing
Facts about waist size
Significantly more men than women have a weight problem.
Men lose weight faster than women.
The really good news is that by losing a small amount of weight you can experience significant health and wellbeing benefits.
Large waist size is linked to erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels which can lead to other problems including fatigue, mood changes, muscle changes and weaker bones.
Overweight men have greater overall health risks than overweight women, particularly during middle age. Men are more likely to carry excess weight around their abdomen which is riskier than weight around the hips and thighs. Overweight men tend to have more visceral fat (ie fat that surrounds the internal organs) which increases the risk of heart attack, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of premature death among males (11.1% of potential life years lost).
Benefits of a healthy lifestyle
Prevent or improve serious health conditions - adopting a healthier lifestyle is the natural and effective way of preventing or treating chronic disease. Reducing your waist size reduces your chance of a heart attack or stroke, lowers your blood pressure, reduces bad blood fats (cholesterol) and prevents or improves diabetes and associated complications. In some cases, diabetes can be cured through lifestyle change.
Better mental health - regular physical activity and health eating improves mental health by alleviating stress, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving your sleep.
More energy - more mobility - when you carry less weight around, you breathe better and improve circulation – you will be able to do things easily like play with your kids, or play sport with your mates.
Preserve your independence - by carrying less weight and increasing general fitness, you can look and feel more youthful, protect and build muscles and bone, prevent falls and fractures, and prevent dementia.
Better sleep - reduced waist size will improve your sleep because you will breathe better, snore less, and sleep more deeply. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, it could mean dumping your air pumps and mask!
Better sex - the really good news is that reduced waist size may improve sexual function.
Better work performance - a healthier lifestyle will improve sleep, reduce fatigue, improve oxygen circulation to the brain, and improve concentration and memory.
Less trips to the toilet at night - just 5% weight loss reduces urological symptoms like nocturia (going to the toilet frequently at night)
