Watch your waistline for a longer life

A scale will tell you if you're putting on weight. But a tape measure may be a better gauge to tell you if you're at a higher risk of dying.

A new study by the American Cancer Society found that older adults with large waists faced nearly twice the risk of dying than those with smaller waists over a nine-year period. A large waist was defined as more than 47 inches for men and more than 42 inches for women. The researchers concluded that the higher risk of death held for those with large waists, even if their weight was considered normal for their height. The study is published in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

But how do you lose that belly fat? According to the Mayo Clinic, there's no magic exercise that can target just the midsection. The hospital says "daily, moderate-intensity exercise is the best way to lose belly fat." And watch what you eat.