Pre-menopause, the waist-to-hip ratio is less than 0.8 and there is a relatively low risk of heart disease. Post-menopause, however, changes in fat distribution can increase the risk of not only heart disease but also diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and high blood pressure. You can assess your risk by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. If the resulting figure is over 0.8 or your waist measurement is similar to or larger than your hip measurement, you are at higher risk of developing these diseases. Some fat however is essential for good health, and postmenopausal women are generally healthier if they are 6-8kg (13-18lb) heavier than they were before.