There are many studies that show people with the largest abdominal sizes have a higher risk of life threatening diseases. That beer belly is not only ecstatically displeasing, but it is bad for your health many health professionals agree.

According to the National Institute of Health, a waistline larger than 40 inches for men can signal significant risk of heart disease and diabetes.  In fact if your waist size isn’t closer to 35 inches then you might want to get to work on decreasing it.

What is scary is that the average American man’s waist  size is a frightening 38.8 inches according to the journal of Obesity Research. That means a lot of men are at high risk of myocardial infarction or heart attack. The facts are almost identical for the women as well. Women with flabby midsections are at an increased risk for the same health problems.

Although having nice rock hard abs is healthy it’s not a get out of the hospital free card. Studies do show that by developing a strong abdominal section, you’ll reduce body fat and significantly cut the risk factors associated with many diseases, not just heart disease.

It is a fact that the incidence of cancer among obese patients is 33% higher than among lean ones.

The World Health Organization estimates that up to one third of cancers of the colon, kidney, and digestive tract are caused by being overweight, eating unhealthy, and or inactive.

What Causes Cancer

Cancer is caused by mutations that occur in cells as they divide and fat tissue in your abdomen spurs your body to produce hormones that prompt your cells to divide. More cell division means more opportunities for cell mutations, which means more cancer risk.

Diabetes is another risk factor that is connected to your abdominal section. Currently, 13 million Americans have been diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes, and that doesn’t include all those who are not diagnosed. Many people believe that diabetes comes only from eating too much refined sugar, like the kind in chocolate and other candies, but that’s simply not true. Scarfing down a basket of bread and a bowl of pasta can do the same to your body as a tub full or sugary ice cream.

In the end a smaller waist equals fewer health risks, the choice is yours.