According to the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the hip/waist ratio and waist measure are accurate indicators for identifying high-risk individuals.
Findings revealed each extra 5 cm increase in the waistline is associated with a 13 to 17 percent increase in mortality rate.
Men with waistlines larger than 119 cm are at a doubled risk of dying compared to those waistlines smaller than 80 cm. As for women, a similar association was found between individuals with waistlines 99 cm and 64.7 cm.
A waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.9 for men and 0.8 for women is considered high risk.
The study found that individuals with normal body mass index (BMI) score but large waistlines are at a higher risk of early death as well.
Scientists recommend regular waist measurements by physicians as an easy and inexpensive way of assessing the patient's health state.
Previous studies had reported that individuals with high BMI values are at a greater risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer.
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