I hear that being shaped like an apple puts you at greater risk for health problems. How do I know if I'm at risk and what can I do about it?

You heard correctly—being "apple-shaped" does increase the risk for health problems.

The terms "apple" and "pear" describe where fat is stored on the body. People who are apple-shaped tend to carry extra fat in the abdominal area above the waistline. People who are pear-shaped tend to carry extra fat in the buttocks, hips and thighs.

An apple shape increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. This is true even if your body mass index (BMI) falls within a healthy range (BMI is an estimate of body fat). A pear shape doesn't seem to carry the same risks, but may raise the risk for varicose veins and orthopedic problems.

Being apple- or pear-shaped is largely determined by genetics, but smoking and drinking alcohol (think "beer belly") also seem to increase abdominal fat.

A waist measurement of more than 35 inches for women or more than 40 inches for men suggests increased risk for health problems. To measure your waist:

If your measurement puts you at risk, you can improve your health by losing a modest amount of weight. Research shows that losing just 10 to 15 pounds can help lower blood glucose, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Our Nutrition Experts are registered dietitians who hold master's degrees and are members of the American Dietetic Association and several specialty nutrition groups. They combine over 40 years experience in food and nutrition science, communications and counseling, the culinary arts and the development of nutrition education materials. They are quoted frequently in the national media and have written about nutrition for many major magazines, newspapers, and newsletters.