Obesity is no laughing matter. A European-wide study¹ published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine leaves no doubt about the risk of your waistline to your health – regardless of any other health issues you do or don't have.

Your abdominal fat secretes inflammatory messengers (IL-6 and TNFa), which in turn cause your liver to ramp up its production of CRP. Such inflammation wreaks havoc in your body and speeds the aging process resulting in premature death. The new study proves that the more abdominal fat you have the greater your risk of premature death.

Men with waistlines of 47 inches and women with waistlines of 39 inches had almost double the risk of premature death compared to those with the smallest waistlines (31.5 inches or less for men and 25.6 inches or less for women). For every 2 inches your waistline increases from these lowest scores your risk of premature death goes up 17%.

The study results also noted that the lowest risk of death was associated with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25.3 in men and 24.3 in women. You can now buy an inexpensive scale at any larger store that will show your BMI as well, if you are interested.