Many people assume that if they are slim, they are automatically healthy. However, Dr. Philip Bazire, a medical weight loss expert on the health platform Doctify, warns that even individuals of normal weight can face significant metabolic health risks. This condition is known as being “metabolically unhealthy normal weight.”
Dr. Bazire explains that some people who appear slim may have an underlying problem with how their bodies process nutrients, leading to metabolic dysfunction. This imbalance increases the risk of developing serious health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. One key factor in this condition is excess abdominal fat, which can exist even in those with a normal body mass index (BMI).
To identify whether someone may be at risk, Dr. Bazire highlights a simple, quick check that anyone can perform at home: measure your waist circumference and compare it to your height. The waist-to-height ratio should be less than 0.5 to indicate good metabolic health. Ratios above 0.5 suggest an increased risk, and those above 0.6 indicate a high risk of metabolic-related health problems.
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Metabolism refers to the body’s ability to process nutrients to generate energy and support tissue repair. When metabolic health is compromised, the body struggles to handle nutrients effectively, increasing vulnerability to chronic diseases.
Since warning signs of metabolic dysfunction can be subtle or nonspecific, Dr. Bazire recommends regular health screenings, especially for those who are overweight or have obesity. He also notes that certain ethnicities, particularly Asians, are more genetically predisposed to accumulating abdominal fat, underscoring the importance of body composition analysis for accurate health assessment.
Maintaining a healthy waist-to-height ratio is a practical, accessible way to monitor your health and catch potential metabolic problems before they escalate.