Normal weight people who carry weight around their belly have a greater risk of dying than people who are obese. The findings of new research from the US are based on a study of 12,785 individuals. The risk of heart disease was 2.75 times higher and the risk of death from all  causes was 2.08 times higher in normal weight people with central obesity (fat around belly) compared with normal weight people without central obesity. The researchers highlight the importance of people knowing where fat is distributed in their body and of measuring their waist circumference. Read more about this research here.

Check out safefood’s Stop the Spread campaign and learn how to measure your own waist to see if you are carrying weight around your belly. Based on recommendations from the World Health Organisation having a waist size greater than 32 inches for a woman or 37 inches for a man is a clear indication that a person is carrying excess weight.