Belly fat. What your waistline may say about your health.

An expanding waistline is sometimes seen as the price of getting older. For women, this may be especially true after menopause, when body fat tends to shift from the arms, legs and hips to the abdomen. Yet an increase in belly fat may do more than make it hard to zip up your jeans. Research indicates that it also can raise your risk of numerous health consequences. The good news is that this health threat can be cut down to size.