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10. 03. 10. - 14:00

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10. 03. 10. - 14:00

BMI is a big fat lie, say scientists

Kathryn Quinn

A new scientific study of increasing waistlines has branded the Body Mass Index most health regimes are based on a big fat lie.

The report says that a person's BMI - a method of measuring fat in the body - has no influence when it comes to risk of heart attacks or strokes.

And they claim that they've got to the bottom of what really makes a healthy body - a big bottom with wobbly thighs.

The report - by Germany's Maximillian University in Munich - says the spread of fat around a body is more important than the total.

Project leader Harald Schneider said the study of 11,000 overweight subjects showed that extra inches on the waist, bottom and thighs should be called "good fat" because it can protect people from heart disease.

Only belly fat could be described as a health risk as it increases "risk of inflammation" says the report, released this week after an eight year study.

Dr Schneider explained: "The BMI plays no role when it comes to the cardiac arrest and stroke death risk."

Almost half of Romanians live in poverty
Almost half of the Romanians (8.89 millions) are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to Eurostat data published today (Weds).

Police carry man off the snow and save his life
A man who had collapsed in freezing weather near a river, in Stoina, Gorj, southern Romania, was saved after policemen carried him for several kilometres.

New government with same eight former ministers proposed
The Romanian parliament will vote on the new government team, proposed by designated Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, tomorrow (Thurs).

Forty-one dead in freezing weather
Another three persons have died due to low temperatures in the last 24 hours, the Romanian Health Ministry said today (Weds).

EC report on Justice is positive, minister says
Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu currently acting prime minister until the new government is voted in by the parliament, said today (Weds) that the European Commission's interim report on progress in justice is, overall, "positive".

Pink Martini concerts in Bucharest
American orchestra Pink Martini will give a concert in Bucharest on 26 May at the Palace Hall, part of the promotional tour for their latest album "A Retrospective", local organisers Events said today (Weds).

Romania's industrial output up
Romania's industrial output increased by 15.6 per cent in 2011, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said today (Weds).

Father tried for abusing four-year-old girl
A Romanian father was sent to trial for abusing his stepdaughter, aged only 4, prosecutors said today (Weds).

Pitch in best condition for Steaua-Twente match, authorities say
The pitch for the Europa League match Steaua Bucuresti - Twente Enschede will be in optimal condition, the Bucharest town hall promises, after criticism of the National Arena turf.

More Romanian tourists travel to Austria
The number of Romanian tourists to Austria rose last year, after two years of a decline, Austria's National Tourism Office in Romania announced today (Weds).