Excessive abdominal fat increases your risk of developing diabetes. Research suggests that abdominal fat cells are biologically active to secrete a group of hormone called Adipokines which may possibly impair glucose tolerance. Maintaining a healthy body weight and waistline is important to prevent diabetes. The World Health Organisation recommends to keep your waistline to less than 94cm  (37 inches) for men and 80cm (31.5 inches) for women.