Is size 16 'normal' - or a serious danger?

What do you see when you look at these photographs: four gorgeous, happy, normal women, or four very overweight women whose excess pounds are dangerously unhealthy?

They are all the UK’s average shape – now a curvy size 16 – and represent the new normal.

But we live in an age where ‘average’ means overweight. Some 45 percent of British women are a dress size 16 or more, and Mrs Average’s waist has grown 7in since 1951, when her vital statistics were a slimline 37-27-39 and she was a stone lighter.

One of the problems, doctors say, is that if people feel their size is normal, it’s not a cause for concern.

‘People often don’t think of themselves as heavy because they are the same size as everyone around them – but the health risks are the same, and very serious,’ says Dr Peter Mace, Bupa Health Clinic’s assistant medical director.

‘Being overweight can dramatically increase someone’s likelihood of developing cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

The latter can mean an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, kidney failure, blindness and even limb amputation. If the fat sits around their middle – visceral fat – it’s packed in around the major organs and further increases the risk.’

So are the risks real? And just how healthy is Mrs Average?

To find out, we sent four size 16 women – each representing a different decade in age – for a battery of medical tests and had their results assessed by experts. They all look and feel healthy – but our investigation shows they could be storing up problems for the future .  .  .

BMI (body mass index) A measurement derived from height and weight. Between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal, 25 to 30 is overweight, over 30 is obese.

Body fat The proportion of fat in the body. In women under 40, the healthy range is 21-32%; over 40 it is 23-35%.

Waist-to-height ratio The proportion of fat around the stomach is assessed by the ratio of waist to height. The ratio should be under 50.

Lung age This test assesses air flow through the lungs. Overweight people may have slightly smaller lungs, increasing their ‘lung age’.

Diabetes risk A blood test assesses levels of glucose and uric acid – higher readings can mean raised diabetes risk. Score is calculated through risk factors and lifestyle.

Cholesterol Measured by blood test. Reading should be below 5.

Risk of developing coronary heart disease A score derived from six reliable predictors – age, gender, total and HDL (good) cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and smoking – then compared to the risks measured in a average group of people of the same age.

Blood pressure Normal range is between 90/60 and 140/90. This shows systolic pressure, when the heart pumps blood, ‘over’ diastolic pressure, when the heart rests between beats.

Liver function A blood analysis indicates whether the liver is functioning normally.‘I feel fine so it’s odd to discover problems.

Source:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2342207/Is-size-16-normal--danger-These-women-Britains-common-dress-size-youd-expect-healthy-battery-medical-tests-came-surprising-worrying-results.html

The blog is supported by Ozeal Glasses.