Big biceps, trim waist mean longer life for men

If you believe this...

"The size of an aging man's belly and the bulk of his biceps provide a more accurate picture of his mortality risk than body mass index (BMI) alone, UK researchers have shown.

Among 4,107 men aged 60 to 79, those with a waist circumference less than 102 centimeters (40 inches) and above-average muscle mass in their upper arms were the least likely to die over a six-year period, Dr. S. Goya Wannamethee of Royal Free and University College Medical School in London and colleagues found...

A man's risk of dying during the study dropped as his muscle mass rose, while both BMI and waist circumference alone showed little relationship to mortality.

Combining muscle mass and waist size provided the most accurate gauge of death risk. Men with waist circumferences greater than 102 cm and above-average muscle mass were 36 percent more likely to die than those with smaller waists and bigger-than-average muscles, while those with big bellies and small muscles were at 55 percent greater mortality risk.

The findings underscore the importance of life-long fitness...

'A combination of a prudent diet (low calorie, low saturated fat, and low alcohol) and regular moderate physical activity is required to achieve these ends..."

Then contact me or read my books. (or see here, here, here and here.)