Waist Size Is a Useful Heart-health Metric

Since the 1970s, body mass index (BMI) has been widely used to estimate health risks related to excess body fat. However, many commentators argue that we’ve been overlooking its limitations. A group of worldwide experts released a statement in early 2020 suggesting that doctors should also measure patients’ waists, since BMI alone isn’t always a good indicator of cardiovascular risk. An athletic, muscular person could have a high BMI and a healthy heart. Conversely, many people lose muscle with age, which could lower their BMI despite high bodyfat levels. So while BMI can be useful, adding waist circumference to the picture clarifies your risk profile. Fortunately, waist size tends to go down with exercise and a healthy diet—even if your weight doesn’t.

Scientists have proved that you’re better off not sweating the small stuff. To simulate the emotional effects of daily setbacks—missing a bus, say, or knocking over your coffee— researchers showed people unpleasant images. Brain scans revealed that some participants’ negative reactions lasted longer in a region called the amygdala than those of others. The subjects whose brain activity went back to normal more quickly were more likely to report that they were frequently in a good mood. These same people also rated their psychological wellbeing more highly seven years later.