Measuring Your Waist
Your waist size can be an important measure of
health.
Waist circumference
Waist circumference is an
indirect indicator of intra-abdominal fat tissue, often called visceral fat. A
large waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of type 2
diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease
because of excess abdominal fat.
To measure your waist circumference, place a tape measure around your body at the top of your
hipbone. This is usually at the level of your belly button. You are at
increased risk for health problems if you are:
1
- A man with a waist measurement greater than
40 in. (102 cm).
- A woman with a waist measurement greater than
35 in. (88 cm)
Citations
-
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National
Institutes of Health (2000). The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
(NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator |
|
Last Revised
| October 21, 2011 |
Last Revised:
October 21, 2011
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National
Institutes of Health (2000). The Practical Guide: Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults (NIH Publication No. 00-4084). Available online:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/prctgd_c.pdf.
