Looking at the Australian Government’s Institute of Health and Welfare website makes for some pretty grim viewing. The most recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2011/12 showed that nearly two thirds of Australians are either overweight or obese. Just as alarmingly, nearly ¼ of children are considered to be overweight or obese.

AS alarming as these statistics are, these were not the ones that caused me the greatest concern. Rather it was the fact that obesity was the second highest contributor to the burden of disease in Australia. Incredibly this puts obesity above smoking as a cause of disease in Australia. Obesity has been linked as a risk factor not only for heart disease, but also diabetes, liver problems and cancer.

Unfortunately I have seen first-hand the impact that being overweight can have in this regard, with a close relative dying from cancer that may have been brought about by their long time struggles with weight.

Not surprisingly then weight loss for many people is clearly an important goal. However, not only is the total amount of fat we carry important, but where this is distributed is also significant. Where you store your body fat can be a significant indicator of your overall health.

The so called middle aged spread is often an accepted part of ageing, especially for men. But the evidence is overwhelming that people who carry their additional weight around their abdomen are at a much higher risk of chronic disease than those who carry it on their hips and thighs. This is because fat stored surrounding the vital organs in your abdomen can result in excess fatty acids leaking into the liver causing inflammation which can result in diabetes and lead to cardiovascular diseases down the track.

This is why I tell clients that keeping track of your waist size is every bit as important as knowing how heavy you are. As a guide, a measurement of more than 94 centimetres for men and 80cm for women puts you at a much higher risk of disease.

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