<p>Cardiometabolic risk factors increase the likelihood of an individual developing metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with abdominal obesity are at greatest cardiometabolic risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Nurses are increasingly considering how to run health screening clinics for patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease as well as for those who have already developed these conditions. This article examines the importance of considering abdominal obesity as a therapeutic target and the role of nurses in its assessment and management. In particular, the article focuses on abdominal obesity as a risk factor that nurses can assess easily and that is amenable to intervention.</p>