As not all fats are the same, the type of fat a woman carries, can characterize the woman’s body shape, be that an apple or a pear, depending on the place where the fat is deposited. Using a simple measuring tape, a woman can calculate her waist to hip ratio (by measuring both waist and hip circumference separately). A ratio above 80 is an apple shape while a ratio below 80 is a pear shape.

Recent studies have confirmed that apple shaped women (that usually carry fat around the middle section of the body) are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, anxiety, depression and fertility problems.

The excess weight around the middle section of the body rather than in the hips and thighs, as is the case for apple shaped women, is yet another contributing factor leading to uncontrolled cholesterol levels and heart diseases. It seems that apple shaped women; having high triglyceride levels are at higher risk (4% more than other women who have the same fat percentage in the body but is concentrated in other parts rather than the waist up) to develop heart disease.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), has defined the apple shaped women condition as EWET (Enlarged Waist of at least 35.2 inches and Elevated Triglycerides levels usually higher than 128mg/dl) and had stated that lowering their cholesterol levels along with the reduction of triglyceride levels may be crucial to prevent the clogging of the arteries and eliminate the risk of having a heart attack and other dangerous chronic conditions that could end up to be fatal for these women.

In a recent study in which EWET women had participated, no prior heart disease was found among women who experienced severe heart problems and died as a result of that. The only conclusion is that in order to eliminate the risk of fatal cardiac problems, losing weight through a well planned diet and exercise, along with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol through natural means is a crucial step for these women to prevent dangerous conditions, and open the door to better health.