Almost half of women have a higher risk of cancer because of their bulging waistlines, experts warn.
Most people think men carry more weight around their tummy, but the reality is that women are way out in front.
Forty-four per cent of women in England have a large waistline linked to a range of cancers and other diseases, compared with 32 per cent of men, Government figures show.
Fat chance: Women who are 'abdominally obese' are more likely to develop cancers of the breast, bowel, pancreas and womb lining
Experts say a healthy waist measurement for women is less than 31.5in (80cm), while white and black men should keep to less than 37in (94cm).
Asian men should keep their waist measurement below 35in (90cm).
A World Cancer Research Fund spokesman called on both sexes to think about slimming if they are overweight or have a big waist.
In the UK, 29 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women are ‘abdominally obese’ which means they are carrying excess body fat that increases the risk of all cancers.
It is strongly linked to cancers of the bowel, pancreas, breast and womb lining.
Bigger waistlines also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
But only four in ten GPs routinely measure middle-age spread in overweight patients.
Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science for the WCRF, said people should measure their waistline and their body mass index, which is the ratio of a person’s height to their weight, to check if they are at risk.
She added: ‘We tend to think men are more likely to put weight on their stomach. But these statistics show that women in England are more likely to have a raised waist circumference. This is why it is important we let women know this is just as relevant for them.
‘We need to raise awareness among men and women that being overweight and having a large waistline are cancer risk factors.
‘If you have a large waist measurement or are in the overweight or obese range, you can take steps to move towards a healthy weight.
‘Over the last few years the evidence has become increasingly strong that excess body fat, and particularly fat carried around the middle, is a cancer risk factor.’
Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘We know that abdominal obesity is a key measure that can be used to predict someone’s risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. We want to encourage GPs to hand the tape measure to the patient – it’s a wake-up call.’
Tam Fry, also from the National Obesity Forum, added: ‘Taking your own waist measurement is not easily accomplished, particularly after the 15th mince pie and the understandable desire to fiddle the figures.
‘Get someone else to take it accurately.’
To measure your waist, put the tape half-way between your rib cage and hip bone.
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