In fact, one will live longer if one's waist is half one's height -- this actually increases life expectancy by slashing the risk of diabetes and heart disease, according to British researchers.
The researchers from Ashwell Associates, Oxford Brookes University, and Sig-Nurture Ltd have shown that waist- height ratio (WHtR) is a better indicator than body mass index (BMI) because it takes into account differing ethnic groups.
Dr Margaret Ashwell, who led the study, was quoted by the 'Daily Express' as saying, "Keeping your waist circumference to less than half your height can help increase life expectancy for every person in the world."
The findings, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Lyon, France, came from a review of studies that assessed the different ways of using body measurements to pinpoint people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, abnormal body fat levels and general cardiovascular problems.
BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 you are overweight. If it is over 30 you are obese.