The shape you're in

If you've been relying on your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine how fit you are, it might be time to consider your shape and rethink your fitness strategy. New research suggests that lower abdominal fat reduces the risk of cardiorespiratory disease, whether or not you are within a healthy BMI. A study of men compared abdominal fat with cardiorespiratory health and discovered a significant link between a trimmer waistline and improved health status.

Researchers concluded that reducing abdominal fat through regular physical activity, regardless of BMI, also would reduce cardiorespiratory health risks.