Taiwan Quick Take: Poll reveals girth ignorance

More than 40 percent of the population are unaware that a thicker waistline is linked with chronic diseases, according to a Bureau of Health Promotion survey released yesterday. The bureau sampled 1,083 people over the age of 30 in May, revealing that 77.4 percent knew their waist measurement, but only 58.7 percent knew that those with excess abdominal fat are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes. According to the bureau, one in seven Taiwanese above the age of 15 suffers from metabolic syndromes which could lead to stroke, heart disease, diabetes or kidney problems.