BMI and Waist Hip Ratios

[HockeyMom]

WHR seems to be the latest "health risk" criteria. My "Your Health, Your Choice" is totally focused on this. A coworker, who is 5 feet and weighs all of 90 lbs., was recently told because her waist is too large (sic) for her hips, she at increased risk of a heart attack.

All these charts talk about apple or pear shapes. This women is neither. Twiggy shaped is a better term. Where does she store her "fat", in her hips or waist? Um, what fat?

I have not gone through this myself yet, but I know I will have a problem with this also at 5" 2" and weighing 102 lbs. myself. Yes, my waist is not 10 inches smaller than my hips either. Is it the waist measurement or the hip measurement that is the problem? We both have very small hips. I do, know, where my "fat" is though, and, it is in neither of these places. My fat is in my upper arms and my bust. That going to cause a heart attack also?

I have heard them say in our health website that besides diet exercise is the key. Well, actually, I have lost 5 lbs. in my job pushing around a wheelchair and lifting a 50 lb child many times a day. I now weigh what I did 40 years ago, before having children and before menopause. Yet, I still have fatty arms. Another thing these people aren't considering" is AGE. When you get old, your body "parts" just aren't where they used to be. Flesh loses it's elasticity and just plan doesn't go back like it once did.

I feel all of this is ABSURD. They are just looking to raise the rates for us and find anything they can to make us pay more. My coworker was told she needs to join a GYM, a her own expense. I wonder who has connections to the gym in the area? Besides, after doing all this physical activity with our jobs, the last thing we want to do is work out at a GYM.

Makes me furious. I recently read some study saying if you are SHORT that is placing you at increased risk of a heart attack. What do they plan to do about that one? STRETCH US?

[DavidDvorkin]

1. If a study indicates that short people are at increased risk of heart attack

do you not want to know about it, because it's not something that can be changed?

I'm glad to know about risk factors that I can't control because it gives me advanced warning to watch for danger signs.

[bemildred]

2. Well, it is absurd. But selling fear makes a lot of money for some. nt

[Abq_Sarah]

3. The waist measurement

Takes visceral fat into account. You can be "skinny" and still be carrying around the most dangerous type of fat known.