Topics: Health, Food and Drink, Social Media
Two doctors have shared a simple string test that can reveal a lot about your health.
Dr Clare Bailey Mosley - the wife of the late Dr Michael Mosley - and their son, Dr Jack Mosley, shared a video on Instagram where they discussed an easy way of understanding metabolic health.
Metabolic health reflects how your body processes fats and sugars. One key factor in metabolic health is how the body responds to insulin. If it doesn't respond properly, insulin resistance can cause blood sugars to rise and can also be seen in other areas of the body.
These include an increased waist size, as well as elevated blood pressure and raised blood sugar levels.
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Having poor metabolic health can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, so it's important to make sure it's properly monitored.
"Did you know that the string test is a better measure of your metabolic health than BMI, that is surprising to a lot of people," Clare explains in the clip.
Jack then adds: "So the issue with BMI is that it doesn't account for your muscle mass, but it also doesn't account for distribution of fat.
"So one of the fats that we are more concerned about is your visceral fat and this is the fat around your midriff and this is the fat that's metabolically active.
"It clings to your organs and this is the fat that we are more concerned about and it's not about shaming anyone but it is actually quite important."
The pair then go through the string test, which includes cutting a piece of string to equal your height. It should then be folded in half.
Once halved, it can be positioned around the waist.
"If it doesn't meet, then it means that you are more likely to have metabolic issues like heading towards diabetes and being overweight," said Clare.
"So, it's another measure."
People were quick to comment on the video with their own experiences, with one person writing: "Thank you that's actually a really simple and useful test - off to find some string now!"
While another said: "So, basically, your height, divided by two, should be the same size or less, than your waist."
And a third added: "That’s a great way to demonstrate an overweight stomach area. So whatever your height is, your stomach circumference should be no more than half your height! Makes sense."
Another joked: "I’m too short!"
