Your Waistline Can Predict Health Risks

It's easier to figure out your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) than your BMI (body mass index) and is more important to your overall health. Here's how to accurately determine your body type by finding your WHR:

• Stand straight, but relaxed (don't pull in your stomach). Measure around your waist with a flexible tape measure, held loosely. If you don't have a waist, measure the widest part of your middle.
• Then measure around your hips, about 3 to 4 inches lower than your hip bones, where your lower body is widest.
• Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement to get your WHR.
• You're a pear if your WHR is 0.80 or lower. If it's higher, you're an apple.

"Apple-shaped women have a naturally higher metabolism, so losing waist size will be easier," Savard says. She recommends setting a goal of losing two inches in waist circumference. Beginning a walking program can help make that happen, she adds.

For more on making healthy choices based on body shape and to download health tracking forms, go to www.drsavard.com