MODEL RELEASED. Diabetes clinic, waist measurement. Nurse using a tape to measure the circumference of a woman's waist. The patient's waist-to-hip ratio is an indication of whether they have excess fat around their internal organs (visceral fat). A ratio of more than 0.8 in women, and 1.0 in men, points to an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or a stroke. Diabetes mellitus affects glucose sugar metabolism. The patient's blood sugar is not oxidised due to a lack of the pancreatic hormone insulin. Treatment is based on a strict diet and insulin injections to maintain the blood-sugar balance.