Abdominal fat poses a greater health risk than total weight, even in people with a normal body mass index (BMI).[2] Research has shown that visceral fat (fat in the abdominal cavity) is more strongly associated with heart failure risk than the traditional BMI measurement.[3] This type of fat is dangerous because it produces pro-inflammatory chemicals that damage the heart muscle and lead to thickening of the heart wall.[3] The risk of cardiovascular disease increases by up to 55% with higher levels of visceral fat.[1] Waist measurement offers an easier and more reliable way to detect this hidden risk than relying solely on the number on the scale.[2][3] A waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) above 0.5 is considered a threshold where the risk of heart disease increases significantly.[2] Reducing belly fat is more important than overall weight loss, and can be achieved through a change to a polyphenol-rich diet and time-restricted eating.[1]