When was the last time you measured your waistline? If you assume that BMI is the only number to focus on when it comes to your health, think twice. New research has revealed a shocking revelation—your waist circumference might be a far better predictor of men's cancer risk than BMI.

The study finds that for each 4-inch increase in waist size, a man's risk of cancer increases by a staggering 25%. Meanwhile, BMI, commonly regarded as the gold standard for assessing obesity, raises cancer risk by only 19% for the same weight gain. So, if you've been dismissing that pesky belly fat, it's time to take notice.

But why is your waistline so important? The reason is visceral fat—the hidden, deep fat that accumulates around your organs. Unlike other body fat, visceral fat is a stealthy troublemaker, causing inflammation, insulin resistance, and abnormal blood fat levels—all of which combine to create a cancer-perfect storm.

Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of numerous health conditions, including cancer, for decades. The research, though, indicates that a specific measure of the body—waist circumference—may be an even more reliable forecaster of cancer risk in men than the more frequently employed Body Mass Index (BMI). This finding emphasizes the need to pay particular attention to the distribution of fat and not merely to the weight of the body.

BMI has been the go-to measure for years for gauging health risks related to obesity. New research, though, that appears in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that waist measurement is a better predictor of cancer risk in men. According to the research, four more inches (10 cm) around the waist will add 25% to a man's cancer risk. Conversely, a 3.7 kg/m² rise in BMI (from a BMI of 24 to 27.7) increased cancer risk by only 19%.

Why is waist circumference a better predictor, then? Unlike BMI, which measures weight relative to height, waist circumference actually measures abdominal fat—specifically, visceral fat. This type of fat encircles internal organs and is also linked to higher levels of inflammation, insulin resistance, and abnormal blood lipids, all of which are factors in cancer growth. BMI, however, does not measure fat distribution, so two individuals with the same BMI can have very different levels of health risk depending on where fat is deposited on their bodies.

Why Men Are at Higher Risk?

Interestingly, the research identified a significant difference between men and women when it came to waist circumference and cancer risk. Although waist circumference and BMI were linked with obesity-related cancers in women, the relationship was weaker than for men. An increase of 12 cm (4.7 inches) in waist size or a 4.3 rise in BMI (from 24 to 28.3) raised the cancer risk in women by just 13%—a much lower percentage than for men.

Experts credit this difference to the way that fat is stored in the body. Men are more likely to carry fat around the abdomen, especially as visceral fat, which is more metabolically active and associated with cancer-producing biological alterations. Women, by contrast, store fat in peripheral sites such as the hips and thighs, where it is less likely to drive systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances.

A possible reason is that men tend to depot fat more in the visceral regions, whereas women tend to carry more subcutaneous and peripheral fat," wrote the researchers. "This may render waist circumference a more robust risk factor for cancer in men and account for why waist circumference provides additional risk information beyond BMI in men but not women."

Cancer Types Most Linked to Abdominal Fat

The research used the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) data to define obesity-related cancers. These cancers are esophageal (adenocarcinoma), gastric (cardia), colorectal, rectal, liver, gallbladder, pancreatic, renal, and thyroid cancers, and multiple myeloma and meningioma. In men, abdominal obesity is especially significant in raising the risk of these cancers through high levels of insulin and markers of inflammation.

For women, the research proposes that both waist circumference and hip circumference may give a more accurate estimate of visceral fat and cancer risk. "Adding hip circumference to risk models could strengthen the link between waist circumference and cancer, especially in women," researchers observed.

What This Means for Men's Health and Cancer Prevention?

With these results, doctors advise men to be more mindful of their waistline than only their BMI. Waist size is an easy method to gauge health risk, and its maintenance through lifestyle changes might be the key to cancer prevention.

How To Reduce Cancer Risk In Men?

Track Your Waist Size: Regularly measure your waist circumference and try to keep it in a healthy range (below 40 inches for men, according to medical advice).

Eat a Balanced Diet: A diet containing high fiber, lean protein, and healthy fats can assist in limiting visceral fat gain.

Exercise Consistently: Regular exercise with a combination of aerobic and strength training will help maintain a healthy waistline.

Control Stress and Sleep: Persistent stress and inadequate sleep tend to cause weight gain, especially in the midsection of the body.

Regular Health Screenings: Early identification of cancer risk factors through regular screening can greatly enhance long-term health status.

HbA1c, also known as hemoglobin A1c or glycated hemoglobin, is a widely used blood test to diagnose and monitor diabetes. However, ahead of World Diabetes Day, experts have warned that the test may not be accurate for everyone.

HbA1c measures how much glucose is attached to hemoglobin in red blood cells, providing an estimate of average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months.

Certain medical conditions and blood disorders can affect its accuracy, making readings appear higher or lower than actual blood sugar levels.

Who May Get Inaccurate HbA1c Results?

Conditions such as anemia and hemoglobin disorders can affect HbA1c readings by altering the lifespan of red blood cells.

"HbA1c can be misleading when conditions alter red blood cell lifespan. Iron, B12 or folate deficiency may falsely elevate HbA1c. Conversely, hemolytic anemia, certain hemoglobinopathies, chronic blood loss, recent transfusion and some kidney conditions can lower it falsely," Dr Manisha Arora, Director of Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe.

Dr Sandeep Kharb, Senior Consultant – Endocrinology at Asian Hospital, added that iron-deficiency anemia can also lead to falsely high HbA1c readings.

Experts also cautioned that HbA1c is not a direct measure of insulin resistance. A person may be insulin resistant even before their HbA1c reaches the prediabetes threshold.

What Medical Conditions And Medications Can Affect HbA1c?

Iron, vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies, chronic alcohol use, high-dose aspirin and severe hypertriglyceridemia may contribute to falsely elevated readings.

Falsely low results can occur with hemolytic anemia, hemoglobin disorders, blood loss, transfusions, pregnancy, kidney disease and erythropoietin therapy.

Certain medicines, including dapsone, ribavirin and some antiretroviral drugs, can also affect HbA1c interpretation. The direction of the error depends on the underlying condition and the testing method.

Can Fasting Blood Sugar Be Normal While HbA1c Is High?

Dr Himika Chawla, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology and Diabetology at PSRI Hospital, told HealthandMe HbA1c reflects average blood sugar over two to three months, while fasting blood sugar measures glucose at a particular point in time.

A person may have normal fasting glucose but experience repeated blood sugar spikes after meals, pushing their HbA1c higher. The reverse mismatch can also occur.

Doctors therefore consider both results and the patient's overall clinical picture before making a diagnosis.

What Test Should Be Used To Diagnose Diabetes?

When HbA1c may not be reliable, doctors can use blood glucose-based tests, including fasting plasma glucose and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

"First test it should be oral glucose tolerance test," Dr Anoop Misra told NDTV.

For the test, a person eats their usual meals for three days and then fasts for eight to 10 hours before their fasting blood glucose is measured. They then drink 75 grams of glucose mixed in water, followed by another blood test two hours later.

Misra explained that fasting glucose below 100 mg/dL and a two-hour reading below 140 mg/dL are normal. Fasting levels of 100–125 mg/dL or two-hour readings of 140–199 mg/dL indicate prediabetes. Fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, or a two-hour reading of 200 mg/dL or higher, falls in the diabetes range.

A new review of studies has found that people living with type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers from Curtin University conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 studies. They estimated that if 1,000 people with type 2 diabetes were followed for a year, an average of 4.7 would develop Alzheimer's disease.

Published in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, a separate analysis found that type 2 diabetes was associated with a 53% higher adjusted relative risk of Alzheimer's disease compared with people without the condition.

How Does Blood Sugar Affect Memory?

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, in a post on X, explained that several overlapping mechanisms may link type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease. These include:

• Brain insulin resistance: Brain cells become less responsive to insulin, potentially impairing their ability to use glucose for energy and clear amyloid and tau proteins.
• Vascular damage: High blood sugar can damage large and small blood vessels in the brain, increasing the risk of strokes and vascular dementia.
• Chronic inflammation: Peripheral inflammation and lipid abnormalities can weaken the blood-brain barrier and trigger neuroinflammation.

How Does Diabetes Increase The Risk Of Dementia?

According to Alzheimer's Society UK, diabetes is an established risk factor for dementia. The risk also increases with the duration and severity of diabetes. However, having diabetes does not mean a person will necessarily develop dementia.

With diabetes and Alzheimer's disease cases rising globally, understanding the link between the two conditions is becoming increasingly important.

Insulin helps regulate blood sugar by enabling the body's cells to use glucose for energy. In people with diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively, causing blood sugar levels to rise.

Studies have linked type 2 diabetes to an increased risk of dementia. In people with type 1 diabetes, severe and repeated episodes of high or low blood sugar have also been associated with a higher risk.

Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease may share certain underlying mechanisms. In both conditions, brain cells can become less responsive to insulin, potentially affecting brain function and contributing to the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.

How Can People With Diabetes Protect Their Brain Health?

Dr Kumar recommended the following measures for people living with type 2 diabetes:

• Maintain blood sugar levels: Aim to keep glucose within your target range.
• Avoid extreme fluctuations: Prevent prolonged high blood sugar (HbA1c of 7% or higher) and severe, repeated episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Manage other health conditions: Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
• Prioritise a healthy lifestyle: Eat whole foods, including vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and engage in regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity.

"Early detection, consistent blood sugar management, and working closely with your healthcare team can help safeguard your cognitive future," he said.

Four-year-old Deborah started school this year full of excitement. But she is struggling to understand why she now has to attend classes on a screen. The nursery student misses the school bus, chatting with friends and running around the classroom. Despite the appeal of screens, she finds it difficult to sit still for online lessons.

Coughing badly, she asks what pollution is and pleads with her family to let her play in the park.

Deborah is not alone. Across Delhi-NCR, children are facing similar disruptions as schools shift classes online amid deteriorating air quality, keeping them indoors for longer.

Air pollution in India is no longer just a winter problem. Although levels peak during the colder months, poor air quality has increasingly become a year-round concern, with Delhi-NCR experiencing severe pollution episodes.

Beyond its well-documented respiratory and developmental effects, pollution and the disruption it brings to children's daily lives may also affect their emotional well-being. HealthandMe spoke to health experts, who warned that reduced outdoor play, disrupted social interactions and increased screen time could add to children's psychological stress.

How Air Pollution Can Affect Children's Mental Health

Air pollution should not be viewed as an isolated exposure when examining its impact on children's mental health, said Dr. Pradeep B.S., a Professor of Epidemiology and Deputy Medical Superintendent at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.

"Air pollution is a macro-level effect. If we reduce it to individual-level effects, we are scientifically wrong," he told HealthandMe on the sidelines of the 11th Together Against Stigma (TAS) Conference, held in the national capital.

He said air pollution is associated with several broader changes, including increased traffic, population growth, climate disturbances and unpredictable weather patterns. Together, these can have a silent effect on people's psychological well-being, including that of children and adolescents.

The effects may not always be direct. Respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, for instance, can prevent children from going outdoors and participating in activities. Losing the opportunity to play can itself become a source of distress.

He also pointed to urbanisation and road expansion, which not only contribute to pollution but also reduce green spaces, playgrounds and community recreational areas. The combination can limit children's opportunities to play, interact and socialise.

Environmental Stress Can Also Affect Children's Emotional Well-Being

Dr. Pallab K. Maulik, the Director of Research at The George Institute for Global Health India said air pollution is one of the contributors to mental health concerns, with both Indian and international research examining the association.

He told HealthandMe that pollution and environmental disasters can create anxiety and stress among children, particularly those whose everyday lives are disrupted by these conditions.

Citing an example from one of his study sites, he recalled speaking to a child living in a slum area whose home gets flooded whenever municipal tankers wash the streets. The child has to spend two days drying her books after the water enters the house.

Dr Pallab also referred to children in the Sundarbans who regularly experience flooding and salinity-related problems.

He said some adolescents are now using platforms such as adolescent parliaments to bring their concerns to local administrators. While children are becoming more aware of environmental challenges, he said, much more needs to be done to understand how environmental changes affect their mental health.

Staying Indoors, Screen Addiction And Anxiety

Dr Syed Hubbe Ali - Health Specialist (RMNCHA) at UNICEF highlighted another possible consequence of pollution-related restrictions on outdoor activities: increased screen exposure among children and adolescents.

When children cannot go outside, they tend to spend more time indoors, often turning to mobile phones, social media and online content. This can create a cycle of screen dependence, he explained.

He described how the pursuit of dopamine, associated with the brain's reward system, can encourage children to keep scrolling through social media content.

The cycle can become more complicated when children begin posting content and seeking validation through likes and engagement.

"Once you start developing your roles, the next stage comes when you see how many likes I got. I got the likes, I don't get the likes. Then the anxiety, you know, it starts," Dr Ali told HealthandMe.

He explained that not receiving the expected engagement can cause distress and, in some cases, contribute to depressive feelings and risky behaviour.

Dr Ali also raised concerns about children spending more time on screens for online learning. Referring to an NCERT survey conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic among 3.7 lakh children, he said only 51% were able to understand online content.

He suggested that learning methods need to move beyond conventional online teaching and incorporate more games and interactive approaches to improve children's engagement.

Why Outdoor Play And Social Spaces Matter

Dr Pradeep emphasised that the impact of pollution cannot be separated from the wider changes taking place in children's surroundings.

Reduced access to green spaces and recreational areas can affect opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and play. When children are unable to participate in these activities, the effects can extend beyond physical health.

Dr Ali also highlighted the importance of outdoor activities and sunlight exposure in children's everyday lives. He said keeping children indoors for prolonged periods can increase their dependence on digital platforms as a source of entertainment and stimulation.