Nutritionist Aoife Kirwan (right) and Gillian Quinn launched the new health lifestyle website, Balancefood.ie, yesterday.
Ms Kirwan said the long-admired hourglass figure was not just attractive, it was the healthiest shape to be.
"This is because if you have an hourglass figure or are pear-shaped, it means that fat is not gathering around the waist and stomach areas," she said.
According to Ms Kirwan, a waist size greater than 32 (80cm) in a woman and greater than 37 (94cm) in a man means that you are putting your health at considerable risk.