Wider Waists Increase Risk Of Infertility And Cancer In Women

UK women with larger waist sizes face increased risk of infertility and cancers, including breast cancer warn Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity.

This follows analysis of health MOT data from more than 54,000 individuals aiming to improve their health and fitness.

The majority of women assessed (57%) had waist sizes in the ‘high health risk’ category, putting them at a greater risk of illnesses and health complications including infertility, breast, womb and ovarian cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The figures show that the average waist measurement for women is 4.9cm larger than the healthy size of less than 80cm recommended by experts. In contrast, most men taking a first step to improve their health and fitness had waist sizes in the healthy range.

Research shows carrying excess weight around the waist significantly increases the risk of breast cancer in women, as well as heart disease, liver disease and type 2 diabetes. There are also serious implications for women hoping to have children. Fat stored around the middle causes disturbed ovarian function, irregular ovulation cycles and anovulation, all of which hinder fertility. 50-60% of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are abdominally obese.

Of the women assessed, 50% were aged between 26 and 46, adding to the charity’s concerns about the impact of the findings on fertility. The data demonstrates that this is a nationwide problem, with the average waist size of women in every region of England*, and in Scotland, in the danger zone. Waist sizes are largest in the North and Midlands, with an average of 87.0cm, and smallest in London, where the average waist size is 81.9cm.

The concerns over waist sizes are compounded by the fact that 52.5% of the women assessed had BMIs (Body Mass Index) in excess of the healthy 18-25 range, with 16.2% moderately or morbidly obese. The data also shows that the common assumption that UK women are predominantly pear shaped is no longer accurate. The average waist-to-hip ratio for the 30,273 women measured was 0.83, again something reflected across all the English regions and Scotland, placing them firmly in the apple camp when a pear shape is generally acknowledged as posing fewer health risks.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Professional Head of Physicians and Diagnostics at Nuffield Health, said: “Our Health MOT results provide a fascinating snap shot of some of the health issues facing us as a nation. Whilst waist size may seem like a cosmetic issue, this isn’t about women fitting into their skinny jeans, rather it’s an important indicator of overall health and wellbeing, particularly when taken into account with other health measurements. Experts are increasingly finding central (or abdominal) obesity, measured through waist size, to be a better indicator of obesity than BMI. The results for women highlight a worrying problem as fat being stored around the waist can contribute to significant health issues, such as breast cancer and infertility.

“Nuffield Health’s approach is to support people to achieve their health and fitness goals, whether that’s addressing their waist measurement, any particular health concerns or more general lifestyle issues. The Health MOT is a key element of this. Being part of the Health MOT programme is proven to help you lose weight, move your BMI into the healthy weight category, and get your blood pressure to a healthy level.”

Other health concerns raised through the data include:

• Lack of sleep - those surveyed get on average 7.1 hours making the eight-hour average a thing of the past

• Despite expressing a desire to improve their health and fitness, 14% reported that they smoke, rising to 16% in London with nearly 18% (17.7%) of male gym goers in the capital smoking. Smokers in London outnumbered those in the region with the least number of smokers (the Midlands) by 3.7%

• The Midlands has the highest collective BMI (Body Mass Index), as well as the most people with a BMI of 40+

• London has the highest percentage of gym goers (56.17%) within the healthy range of BMI (18.5-24.9). This is 10% more than the nearest region - South East - at 46.82%

• Bristol gym-goers had the healthiest overall Health MOT results, taking into account waist measurement, BMI, sleep, and smoking. The members of the Fitness and Wellbeing Centres in Bloomsbury, Harrogate and Bishops Stortford ranked next. In comparison Swindon ranked at the foot of the table, with Cannock, Portsmoth and Hull just ahead.

(GK)