Women's waistlines mirror their heart disease risk

    Washington: A small waist may not only guarantee those approving looks from men and envious glares from women, but may also protect you from the risk of heart disease. Women with waistlines of 35 inches or more are at greater risk of heart disease than thinner women, according to a new study by researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia and Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation. Of more than 6,000 women without known heart disease whose waistlines were measured on Women's Heart Day, February 18, 2005, the study found that 90 percent had at least one major risk factor for heart disease, and one-third had three or more. These risk factors included high cholesterol and high blood pressure, among others. Increased waist circumference was also correlated with a woman's 10-year chance of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease. "Measuring waist circumference may be a simple method that women can identify themselves as being at increased heart-attack risk and empower them to seek further evaluation and possible treatment from their doctors," says lead author Dr. Lori Mosca, director of preventive cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. A substantial proportion of women screened were found to have major risk factors for heart disease they were unaware of. Nearly half of all women with elevated cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) did not report a history of being told they had abnormal cholesterol from a health-care provider. Alarmingly, 43 percent of women who participated in the screening had blood glucose above what is considered normal (< 100 mg/dL). And, 16 percent of women with no documented history of hypertension had elevated blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg) that should receive intervention based on national standards. "We now know that these screenings provide an additional and unforeseen benefit. Not only have they allowed us to identify and educate women at risk, but they have provided a rich opportunity for research that will be useful in educating the millions of women who may not be able to attend the screenings in person but are at risk of heart disease," she added.

Mum wants Scarlett to show less of her cleavage (Go To Top)

     London: Hollywood beauty Scarlett Johansson's mother is reportedly upset with her for revealing too much of her cleavage at the Golden Globe awards. The stunning actress wore a low-cut red dress to the star-studded event, but her mum, Melanie, says she went too far by showing off her ample assets. "She said she looked like a member of the 'Baywatch' cast," a friend of Scarlett's family was quoted by FemaleFirst, as trelling Britain's Daily Express newspaper. "Mel feels Scarlett tried a little too hard to show off her figure - to the point where she was almost bursting out of her dress," she added. But Scarlett's mum is now planning to stop a repeat performance at the Oscars in March - and allegedly intends to pick her daughter's outfit. "She'll be choosing Scarlett's dress - well, she'll certainly have a say," the friend said However, Scarlett - who is romancing heartthrob actor Josh Hartnett - recently admitted she loves her sexy image and the attention men give her.

Rachel Hunter is on a manhunt (Go To Top)

     London: Rod Stewart's ex-wife, stunning Ultimo model, Rachel Hunter is lonely and looking for love. But the only problem is that despite the sea swarming with fish, the only ones she has tried to net are already married. And in a bid to break the stalemate, she has laid out her specs for interested partners to apply, and says that suitors must be employed, like children and be ready for a make-over. "I'm not dating anyone. All the decent guys are married. Do you know anyone?" she was quoted by The Sun, as saying. However, rock stars and musicians may not get the nod even if they fulfil the other criteria, as she had last year vowed to never date a star. "It's probably a good idea not to, if only to let the press interest die down. I haven't meant to date rock stars. "In Los Angeles I have plenty of friends working in the film and music industries, so it just ends up that way," the paper quoted her as having told the New York Post.

Sharon Stone's 'Basic Instinct' is for adults only (Go To Top)

     Washington: If it's Sharon it must be sexy, seems to be the mantra in Hollywood, with her much touted sequel to "Basic Instinct" having been found to be hot enough to justify a NC-17 rating. Which basically means that college going kids would need to take their folks with them, if they want a peek of one of Hollywood's sexiest stars doing what she does best. According to Contactmusic, producers have returned to the editing suite to tone down the controversial scenes, that include graphically depicted orgies and threesomes, to bag a more audience-friendly rating. Stone, whose suggestive leg-crossing scene in the original made her famous overnight, is back in her familiar role of a seductress, and has David Morrissey as her co-lead playing a private-eye checking out on her obsessions.

Jolie's kids now legally called Jolie-Pitt (Go To Top)

    Washington: There is more good news for Brad Pitt and his lady love Angelina Jolie, besides a visit from the stork, the couple can now go ahead and legally add the name Jolie-Pitt to Angelina's adopted kids' names. "Their names are Maddox Jolie-Pitt and Zahara Jolie-Pitt," Jolie attorney Evan Spiegel was quoted by Eonline, as saying. Maddox, 4, originally from Cambodia, was adopted by Jolie in 2002 during the end days of her marriage to Billy Bob Thornton. Zahara, 2, originally from Ethiopia, was adopted by Jolie last year during the early days of her unconfirmed romance with Pitt. Jolie and Pitt were not in court for the hearing, reports said. The newly christened Jolie-Pitt children presumably weren't there, either. Jolie initiated the name-change process last December--her court filing the first formal sign that she and Pitt were more than just former Mr. and Mrs. Smith costars. According to City News Service, Pitt is referred to as "the adoptive father-to-be" in Jolie's petition.

Jolie may be carrying Pitt's twins (Go To Top)

     London: Hollywood beauty Angelina Jolie is reportedly expecting twins with Brad Pitt, and her double pregnancy could be the result of fertility treatment. "Angelina is overjoyed. Getting pregnant with one of Brad's children would have been God's precious gift to her," a source close to the couple was quoted by The Sun, as saying. "Now we believe she is carrying twins, Angie is in seventh heaven," he added. Angelina, who already has two adopted children, Maddox, four, and Zahara, one, confirmed last week that she and Brad were expecting. She will give birth in this summer. "I understand that she's undergone fertility treatments to help her conceive and it certainly seems to have worked," a source told America's Celebrity Living magazine.

Christopher Lee says looks no substitute for talent (Go To Top)

    Washington: Veteran British actor Christopher Lee has criticised Hollywood's obsession with youth, insisting the employment of beautiful but talentless teenagers is ruining modern movies. The Star Wars actor is appalled by producers' willingness to cast young stars in emotionally complex roles, and insists a backlash is on the horizon. And he fears for the reputations of young stars, condemning Los Angeles studios for pushing their protege's too far. "The problem today, and I think it's a very dangerous one for the people concerned, is that there are quite large numbers of very young men and women from 18 to 30, and they are playing very large parts in huge films and they simply, through no fault of their own, don't have the background and the experience and the knowledge to pull if off," he was quoted by Contactmusic,as saying. "And it's dangerous for them because if they are in one failure after another, sooner or later people are going to say, 'Well, he may have a pretty face but he's not bringing the public in. So many of these good-looking - sometimes even pretty - boys and girls are getting these good roles and it's not fair on them. At some point it's going to catch up," he added.

You can soon get a whiff of Mariah Carey's scent (Go To Top)

     London: Following the trend set by stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Brittany Spears and Sarah Jessica Parker, who have all successfully launched their very own fragrance, it is the turn of pop diva Mariah Carey to cash in. According to The Mirror, Carey has decided to launch her own fragrance later this year, and is reportedly over the moon with the very thought of it. "Mariah is so excited about the scent and it will be based on white flowers," the paper quoted a source, as saying. She also wants Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld to design her outfit for the forthcoming advertising campaign, so that it that fits in all the right places.

Spiderman in a love triangle (Go To Top)

    Washington: Movie moghul, Ron Howard's daughter, 'The Village' star Bryce Dallas Howard, may land herself a very different role from what she has been used to performing, by becoming Spiderman's other love interest in the upcoming sequel, Spiderman 3. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the actress may play Gwen Stacy, one of Mary Jane Watson's, played by Kirsten Dunst, best friends, and will be the third part of a love triangle also involving Tony Maguire.. Howard, shot into fame following her star-making turn as a heroic blind girl in M. Night Shyamalan's The Village. Following that, she took over for Nicole Kidman in 'Manderlay', Danish filmmaker's Lars von Trier's second film in his USA--Land of Opportunities trilogy. She is now set to star in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of William Shakespeare's As You Like It, and reunite with Shyamalan for Lady in the Water. Spider-Man 3 is scheduled to begin shooting later this month and hit the theaters in May next year.

Jessica Simpson proud of her perfect bust (Go To Top)

    London: Pop singer Jessica Simpson has revealed that she is completely happy with her buxom figure. The sexy blonde, who recently split from husband Nick Lachey after three years of marriage, said that as her teenager she was a little conscious about her bust, but now she has got over it and loves to flaunt it. "I have amazing boobs. Theyre just perfect. At school, my boobs were bigger than all my friends and I was afraid to show them," she was quoted by The Sun,as saying. "Now, I feel they make my outfits look better. They're like an accessory," she added.

Witherspoon wore Dunst's gown for Golden Globes (Go To Top)

     New York: Hollywood beauty Reese Witherspoon was horrified when she learnt that the gown Chanel designed for her, for the Golden Globes awards, had been worn by Kirsten Dunst in 2003. Witherspoon, who won Best Actress for "Walk the Line," wore a white-and-silver "vintage" Chanel dress only to learn later that it had been recently recycled. Witherspoon's rep, Nancy Ryder, is said to be so angry at Chanel that she has vowed not to accept anything from Chanel again, or let her other clients, including Jennifer Lopez and Renie Zellweger, wear anything from the French couture house. "Reese was told the dress was vintage. It was not. I'm not angry - just a little disappointed, but the big deal is Reese won the Golden Globe," she was quoted by The New York Post, as saying.

Goldie Hawn is a racehorse at sex! (Go To Top)

    London: Most people's sex drive slows down with passing years, and many therapies have mushroomed to help them regain it, but there is no such problem for 60's siren Goldie Hawn, whose sex drive at 60 is as strong as a racehorse in its prime! And she credits her husband, Kurt Russell for her energy, saying that his making her feel sexy, helps in rejuvenating her body. "I'm very turned on by Kurt. He thinks I'm a racehorse, and when you've got a racehorse you've got to run it. He makes me feel sexy which does a lot for cell rejuvenation!" Femalefirst quoted her, as saying. But she adds that besides regular romps, she also is a fitness freak, and works out regularly to keep her body in shape. "I've never stopped working on my body. I ride my bike up a mountain everyday and I have to get on a running machine, do aerobics or dance daily," she added.

Gurinder Chadha to bring Boney M to Westend (Go To Top)

     London: Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha is all set make a Westend musical Daddy Cool, that will feature some of the greatest Boney M hits, including Brown Girl and Rivers Of Babylon. The musical will star Harvey, the former MC from So Solid Crew, ex-EastEnders actress Michelle Collins and pop star Javine. Daddy Cool is a Romeo and Juliet-type love story set amidst the backdrop of gang warfare in multicultural London. Dwayne Wint plays Sunny, a young man who lives for his music and falls in love with Rose, daughter of the East End's notorious lap dance club owner Ma Baker (Michelle Collins). By becoming lovers, Sunny and Rose fuel the hostility between the East and West London gangs, forcing them to confront their future. "It's very exciting and anything Gurinder is involved in is amazing. It's mostly a dancing role but I get a couple of songs. They must think my voice is okay because I had an audition," Michelle, famous for her role as Cindy in EastEnders, was quoted by The Sun, as saying.

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