Your Body Shape and Health Risk
What do apples and pears have in common? Well, as foods, they’re both heart-healthy fruits, but when used to describe body shapes, there is a big difference. That’s the topic of my Today Show segment–the shape of your body is a strong predictor of future health risk, ranging from diabetes, to heart disease, to high cholesterol.
I’m sure many of you have heard about the “apple” shaped person, versus the “pear." An “apple” has weight accumulation in the stomach and abdomen. A “pear” tends to have lower body fat stores, in the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
Still not sure what you are? Think about shopping for clothes. If you’re in the dressing room and have a hard time buttoning the pants or skirt, you are most likely an apple. Can’t get the garment around your hips? Sounds like you’re a pear.
For those women who are more precise in measurement, a waist circumference (waistline) greater than 35 inches is a health risk for heart disease and diabetes. For the men in your life, it’s a waist of 40 inches or more. (Use the waist-to-hip ratio calculator if you need help.)
The good news is that wherever you tend to gain that weigh –upper body or lower body–when you start losing, it will come off from that area first. So, slow, steady weight loss is the way to go.
If you are an apple shape, your risk for metabolic syndrome–linked to high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and elevated cholesterol–rises, and even a few pounds around the middle can contribute to these symptoms. In fact, that “central body fat” of the apple is more likely to cause health problems than a similar amount of weight distributed around the hips and thighs for us “pears.” (That’s me!)
Check out the Today segments on this topic for more information during the week and our iVillage slide show for more on healthy nutrition, whether you’re an apple or a pear. Modest weight loss–just 5 to 10 percent of your starting weight (that’s just 7 pounds for a 140 pound person)–can offset these weight-related problems.
Have you given much thought to your body shape and your health issues? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
More on Your Diet:
- Should You Adjust Your Diet to Your Body Shape Needs?
- The Skinny on Weight Loss Supplements
Comments
I watched your piece on the Today Show. The Apple/Pear concept is an irresponsible response to a serious disease. After logging on to ivillage and saw the ads for candy bars, et.al., the irresponsible claim became more apparent. You can't be taken serious as a nutritionist as long as you're peddling junk food.
I found your segment quite informative. I am 40 years old and have had 3 children in the last 4 years. I have nursed all of them and am at a good weight for my height. The problem is trying to get rid of the layer of fat around my abdomen. Thank you for the tips. I also understand that you have nothing to do with what is advertised on the website. Advertisers pay for that space. Contributors have nothing to do with it.
I do not agree with Madelyn Fernstroms belief that there are only two body shapes for older women. I am a 66 year old grandmother (4 grown children & 5 grandchildren.) I am 5'3", 129 lbs, with body measurements of 36/27/37 and wear a size 4. I have gained about 10lbs in the past 10 years(which I am trying to lose) but, I have always considered my shape to be hour glass.
