We’re talking about your body shape, not your favorite fruit! Why does it matter? An apple-shaped body may be riskier for your health than a pear shape.
- Apple shape: Even if your Body Mass Index (BMI) falls within a healthy range, abdominal or upper body fat increases risks for diabetes, high cholesterol levels, early heart disease, and high blood pressure. (See January 23.)
- Pear shape: Extra weight below the waist—hips, buttocks, thighs—may be less risky for most health problems, except for varicose veins and orthopedic problems.
Your genes, gender, and age affect where your body stores fat. Men tend to store more around the middle; with a menopausal hormone shift, many women may store more fat there, too.
A tape measure will tell you what “shape” you’re in.
- Standing, measure just above your hipbone. Relax, and breathe out when you measure. Don’t cinch in the tape measure or pull in your stomach.
- Judge your risk. It goes up with waist size: higher if your waist measures more than 35 inches for a woman or more than 40 inches for a man.
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