Belly Fat

An expanding waistline can increase your chances for cancer.
Studies suggest that a trim tummy is just as important as having a healthy weight or Body Mass Index (BMI). That jiggle in the tummy increases your chances of getting colorectal cancer and possibly pancreatic, breast (after menopause) and uterine cancers, says the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR).
“It’s not just fat directly under the skin,” says Sally Scroggs, M.S., R.D., L.D., health education manager in M. D. Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center. “A wide waist also is a sign that fat may be growing around important organs, like the pancreas.”
Belly fat may increase insulin in the body
Extra belly fat causes your body to make too much insulin. High amounts of insulin cause your body to produce too many cells, which can lead to cancer.
Belly fat also can do bad things to sex hormones, like estrogen, which may increase your chances of developing breast cancer.
Measure your waist to check for health
The AICR suggests that women aim for a 31.5-inch waist or below and men a 37-inch waist or below. Follow the steps below to see how you measure up.
1. Place a tape measure around your waist at the narrowest point between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hipbone.
2. Make sure the tape is snug but doesn’t squeeze your skin.
3. Measure your waist after breathing out.