Posted on 13th Nov 2008 @ 11:46 AM

Each extra 2 inches (5cm) raises the chance of early death by between 13% and 17%. The New England Journal of Medicine study stressed individuals could and should regularly be profesisonally assesed. The health professional offering this service to the individual is clearly offering a practical and useful benefit. The service is as straight forward as measure their waist, and provide them with good advice about active lifestyles and exercise. A measuring tape is a low cost and easy way to assess health. See  fitnessASSIST Anatomical Tape Measure - ASS014  or Seca S203 Measuring Tape - SEC015 . FitnessASSIST's marketing director pointed out that higher tech assessments provide more detailed information and often increase motivation and therefore exercise programme adherence.

The NEJM published study found carrying extra fat around  your middle dramtaically increases your risk of early death, even if your overall weight is normal, say the researchers. The study of almost 360,000 people from nine European countries found waist size a "powerful inicator" of risk.

Main source: BBC News