Almost nine in ten people are not aware of the risks of having a fatty waistline, a new study reveals.

Though easily prevented by regular fitness training and a healthy diet, a thick waist is a sign of dangerous fat build-up around the internal organs.

However, a survey of 12,000 Europeans by Queen's University in Belfast found most people had no idea that carrying extra weight around their waistline was bad for their health.

The survey was commissioned in light of a report by GlaxoSmithKline, which said this "visceral fat" was strongly linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Most people would lose weight once they found out the risk, the survey found.

Report author Dr Terry Maguire said it was important for people to understand the health benefits of weight loss as well as the cosmetic results.

Physical activity such as indoor rowing is a great way to help shed fat from the waistline.

Fitness training experts at Concept2 claim that rowing for 45 minutes to an hour each day at a steady two minutes ten seconds per 500 metre pace, will burn around 600 calories.