When should you worry? (Part 4)

6. Since reaching my mid-thirties, I have been steadily putting on weight. When I talk to my doctor about it, he just tells me that my BMI is 20 per cent more than it should be. What exactly does he mean?

   Quite simply you are too heavy for your height. Doctors who talk in terms of BMI (Body Mass Index) do little to inform their patients. In fact, research has shown that the measurement that really counts is your waist. No need for clever metric sums or fancy equipment – the humble tape mesasure alone will tell you that you need to lose weight. You should try to keep your maximum waist measurement, taken from the level of the belly button (no cheating by taking it further up the abdomen at the point where the belt is) to under 89cm/35in, preferably 82cm/32in. These figures apply whatever a woman’s height, build or age. If your waist measurement is more than this, you should watch your diet and take more regular, steady, non-aggressive exercise – the best of which is walking. Pilates is also excellent.


   Most women put on weight around their middle in their late-thirties and forties. Unfortunately, abdominal fat, especially that inside the abdomen, is not just being stored, it also secretes hormones. In cases of excess weight, this can upset your metabolism so much that it may lead diabetes, high blood pressure and heart failure.

7. I have been told that although my blood pressure is a bit high, I don’t need to worry. This is because as a woman, I am designed to have babies and have heart that is able to withstand pregnancy and delivery. It can therefore cope with high blood pressure – even better than a man. Do you agree?

   No. Although women have babies without damaging their heart, they are just as likely to have strokes and heart attacks as men, although these may occur later in life. The lower you keep your blood pressure, the longer you are likely to live. All men and women should aim to keep their blood pressure under 120/80.