Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN & Manager, Clinical Research & Nutrition at Nutrisystem, was quoted throughout Dr. Joan Salge Blake’s article on US News, “What Your Waist Can Tell You About Your Health.” The article begins…

Talk to any real estate agent, and they will tell you that the three most important things to consider when buying property are: 1. location, 2. location and 3. location. The same can be said about body fat.

Research suggests that carrying extra fat around your middle, no matter your BMI, increases your health risk.

Research has long held that excess weight increases the risk of many chronic diseases and health complications such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. But the location of the excess weight on your body can also make a difference when it comes to your health. 

You have likely heard about the body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of your weight in relationship to your height. For many folks, the higher the BMI, the greater your increased risk of disease. For example, a BMI of 30 is categorized as class 1 obesity, whereas a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered normal weight.

A healthy weight lies between these two ranges. However, in recent years, research has suggested that carrying extra fat around your middle, no matter your BMI, also increases your health risk, according to Pennsylvania-based dietitian Courtney McCormick, who is manager of clinical research and nutrition at Nutrisystem.

To read the remainder of the article, visit online here.