Basically, research indicates that an apple shape or excess belly fat is a health risk .Being an apple-shape is associated with increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Greater belly fat is also linked to high blood cholesterol, hypertension, gallbladder disease and sleep apnea. If you carry your extra pounds mostly around your waist , this puts you at increased risk for heart disease called metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is closely linked with insulin resistance. .

Metabolic syndrome is closely linked with insulin resistance.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose, which is the form of sugar your body uses for energy.Insulin resistance is the condition in which normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin response from fat, muscle and liver cells. You are more apt to have insulin resistance, and therefore metabolic syndrome, not only if you are overweight and carry your weight mostly at your waist but also if you are inactive.

How can you tell if you have metabolic syndrome?You may have metabolic syndrome if you answer yes to three or more of these questions.

• Does your waist measure more than 40 inches if you are man or 35 inches if you are a woman?
• Are your triglycerides 150 mg/dL or higher?
• Is your HDL - the good cholesterol - less than 40 mg/dL if you are a man or less than 50 mg/dl if you are a woman?
• Is your blood pressure 130/85 mm Hg or higher?
• Is your fasting glucose 110 mg/dL or higher?

• Get blood cholesterol level tested.
• Consult your doctor .
• Increase your activity. It will help burn excess calories, which can help you lose weight. It can also help your health by raising HDL cholesterol and reducing other risk factors for heart disease. Exercise also helps reduce insulin resistance.
• Eat fewer calories to lose weight. Healthy eating habits also raise HDL cholesterol and reduce other heart disease risk factors.
• Limit your total fat intake to no more than 25% to 35% of your total daily calories. A low-fat diet can help you lose weight and reduce blood cholesterol.