There are many serious diseases that can be caused by being overweight, as most people know. What isn’t as well known is a bigger predictor of health problems is the area on the body where the fat is located. Different bodies come in different shapes, depending on where the fat is mainly located. A concentration of fat in the lower part of the body is a pear shape. When a person has most of their fat around the middle, they are said to be apple shaped. Apple-shaped people have a much higher instance of developing serious diseases.

Taking a measurement of the circumference of the abdomen is a way to gauge the risk of certain diseases. A waist bigger then 35 inches carries a higher risk for women. For men, the risk is at over 40 inches. Another way to gauge the risk that exists is by looking at the ratio of hip and waist measurements. Generally, a person’s waist should be smaller than their hips. The waist to hip ratio is possible to express as a percentage. For men, the best ratio is .90. Having a .80 ratio is considered safest for women. Anyone with a ratio of 1.0 or more is considered at risk.

One of the worst diseases that the apple shaped are at risk of contracting is heart disease. In the West, the often preventable heart illnesses are the top killers. This can be caused by the increase in blood pressure and the decrease in HDL cholesterol that result from an apple shape. The risks faced by the apple shaped will be lessened by melting off the abdominal fat.

There is also a higher risk of diabetes. Extra stomach fat creates a greater risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes. The diabetes risk in women is particularly evident. One recent study proved that apple-shaped women face a risk of diabetes six times higher than pear-shaped women. Often diabetes isn’t diagnosed until the disease has advanced enough to damage the body. Measures should be taken to lose the fat because of these risks.

Another risk of carrying too much fat around the abdomen is breast cancer. Fat cells release some estrogen, and the more fat is present, the more estrogen is produced. A level of estrogen that is too high creates a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Having too much fat around the middle increases those risks more than for people who are pear shaped.

An apple shape can also cause illnesses such as sleep apnea, insulin resistance and ovarian disorders. Illnesses such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome often stem from insulin resistance. Sleep apnea can potentially be dangerous, as sufferers stop breathing briefly in their sleep. One form of ovarian problem can be the eggs not being issued regularly. Infertility can be caused by this condition. Reducing the amount of fat in the abdomen is crucial for anyone with an apple shape and a high waist/hip ratio. Losing the fat is important to women, who face a higher amount of risk.