Smith said the findings show the need for more education to increase awareness.
People know that being overweight or obese increase the odds of heart disease
and stroke but where the fat is deposited is important.
Being overweight or obese is calculated by using body mass index (BMI) --
dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. A BMI of more than 25
is overweight. Above 30 is considered obese.
But weight around the middle, or abdominal obesity, has been shown to be a more
accurate indicator because it is also linked to other risk factors for heart
disease including high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and raised blood pressure.