Body Shape: Apple or Pear?
Where we store extra fat on our bodies also plays a role in the risk for heart disease. Most men tend to be apple-shaped, meaning fat is stored between the waist and the chest. Women, on the other hand, tend to be pear-shaped, meaning fat is stored on the hips and legs. Those women who develop male-pattern fat storage appear to be at higher risk of heart disease and heart attack.
The waist-to-hip ratio is another tool for determining fat distribution and heart disease risk. To find your waist-to-hip ratio, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A number above 1 shows an apple shape. A number below 1 shows a pear shape. Remember, a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 1 shows male-pattern fat storage, which has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease.
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