Waist Circumference, Importance

Continuing my series on health, next up is waist circumference.

How often? At least once a month, wrap a tape measure around your middle of your belly button.

Target range? Take your height in inches, then dived by 2 to get your ideal waist measurement. If you're 5'4" (64 inches) your waist should be no bigger than 32 inches around.

Why it matters? Belly fat produces hormones that cause inflammation, damage organs and promote insulin resistance. New studies show that when a woman of normal weight has a waist larger than 34.6", her chance of stroke quadruples. And a wide middle coupled with elevated triglycerides, nearly quadruples a woman's heart disease risk.