Survey reveals men are off the mark when they measure up

~ Health charities team up to convince men waist size matters ~

A new poll [1] has shown that when asked to estimate, UK men misjudge by inches when it comes to their waists. The average estimated waist size of nearly 1,000 men surveyed was 35.8 inches [2], 2.1 inches slimmer than the English average (37.9 inches) [3] and 2.2 inches smaller than the Scottish average (38 inches) [4]. Health charities say this rose-tinted view is a recipe for danger as expanding waist sizes are a risk factor for cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Worryingly, nearly nine out of ten (87%) men in the survey did not know how to measure their waists, with a staggering 47 per cent of men incorrectly believing they can get away with measuring just above their hips. A meagre one in eight (13%) knew the correct method, which involves measuring at the midpoint between their ribs and the top of the hips [5].

Three health charities, the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, have teamed up to urge men to face the music and do something about their waist size as part of their Active Fat campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying extra weight around their middle.

A bulging waistline means much more than a few strained buttons. Fat cells around your middle work hard to pump out hormones and chemicals that can cause disease [6].

Men are at increased risk of cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease when their waist size strays above 37 inches and high risk when they bulge past the 40 inch mark [7]. The survey shows only 16 per cent of men admitted to a waist size of 40 inches or above, however this literally only tells half the story - the official figures show nearly a third of English men (32 per cent) and more than a third of Scottish men (34 per cent) are at high risk.

Tracy Parker, Heart Health Dietitian at the BHF says "The results of this survey are worrying; they suggest men might not know they are in the danger zone."

"Taking action doesn't have to be a chore. If your waist strays above the 37 inch mark, arrange some healthy activities around your day for maximum efficiency and minimum fuss. Get off the bus a few stops earlier, have a kick-around with colleagues or friends in your lunch break, and swap fatty snacks and creamy desserts for crunchy vegetables and juicy fruit."

Deepa Khatri, Clinical Advisor at Diabetes UK says: "It is extremely worrying that so many men might not be aware that their growing waists could be putting their health at risk, especially as your waist size is likely to increase throughout your life."

"However knowing you are at risk is the first step to taking action and making small lifestyle changes can sometimes be all it takes. This can be anything from taking the stairs at work to swapping your afternoon snack for a piece of fruit. Incorporating these changes into your daily routine will make them easier to stick to and remember there are many different ways to lose weight, so set yourself targets that are achievable for you."

Hazel Nunn, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "It's really important that people are honest with themselves about their weight and the health effects of any extra pounds. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of at least seven types of cancer, including bowel cancer and pancreatic cancer.

"Scientists estimate that in the UK, the current number of people who are overweight and obese could lead to around 19,000 cases of cancer a year."

"After quitting smoking, keeping a healthy body weight is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of getting the disease."

The BHF, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK are sharing their top tips on reducing your risk of disease on their joint campaign website.

Celebrity DJ Neil Fox is supporting the campaign "It's so important to be honest with yourself and measure your waist and weight properly, especially when you get to a certain age. I turned 50 this year so I want to look after my health."

"I cycle regularly and this year took part in the London to Brighton bike ride for the BHF and felt great. Of course it was challenging, but I know how important it is to stay fit and healthy. It's your body and your life and this is one thing you have to do yourself. Not only could it change your life, and prolong it enormously... but it could be great fun in the process!"

"So grab that tape measure and start making a difference to your future health today."

Find out how to measure your waist correctly and calculate your body mass index (BMI) at activefat.org.uk.

ENDS

To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact the BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290381 (out of hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk

Notes to editors

1. All results taken from an omnibus survey conducted by YouGov which sampled 2,000 people, 991 men and 1009 women. Results taken from Friday 24 September 2011 to Monday 26 September 2011. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
2. Survey participants were asked which of the following options was closest to what they thought their waist size is (in inches). The mean result for men was 35.6 inches, and the general results for men were as follows:
   23 inches or below - 0%
   24-25 inches - 0%
   26-27 inches - 1%
   28-29 inches - 2%
   30-31 inches - 8%
   32-33 inches - 22%
   34-35 inches - 21%
   36-37 inches - 16%
   38-39 inches - 9%
   40-41 inches - 6%
   42-43 inches - 4%
   44-45 inches - 2%
   46-47 inches - 1%
   48-49 inches - 1%
   50 inches or more - 1%
   Don't know - 2%
   Prefer not to say - 2%
3. Statistics taken from Mean waist circumference and proportion with raised waist circumference, by survey year, age and sex, HSE Adult Trend Tables, 2009. Health Survey for England 2009: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and-lifestyles-related-surveys/health-survey-for-england/health-survey-for-england--2009-trend-tables
4. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/09/23154223/81
5. Survey participants were asked at what point on their body they thought they should measure to get their true waist size:
   Half-way between your ribs and your hips - 13%
   Just below your ribs - 2%
   In line with your belly button - 26%
   Just above your hips - 47%
   Below your hips - 4%
   Other - 1%
   Don't know - 8%
6. Research suggests that the most toxic fat is intra-abdominal fat, which sits around your internal organs, as opposed to subcutaneous fat that sits just under the skin, and that storing excess fat around the waist poses a significant health risk. General and Abdominal Adiposity and Risk of Death in Europe, N Engl J Med 2008; 359:2105-2120. Research also suggests that 10,300 cases of cancer could be prevented each year in the UK if the Body Mass Index of every adult did not exceed 25. Body-mass index and incidence of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies, Lancet. 2008 Feb 16;371(9612):569-78.
7. WHO publication: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241501491_eng.pdf (see page 20)
8. Twitter hashtag #activefat
9. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation's heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information. But we urgently need help. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. Because together we can beat heart disease. For more information visit bhf.org.uk/pressoffice.
10. Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. The charity's groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last forty years. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
11. Diabetes UK is the leading health charity for over 3.5 million people in the UK with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people living with the condition. Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and work towards a future without diabetes. All of this and more is only made possible through donations and by people supporting Diabetes UK. For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk