Health Risk Factor
Waist Circumference and Health
Waist Circumference - Introduction
Waist circumference and BMI are interrelated, but waist circumference provides an independent prediction of risk over and above that of BMI. This because body fat that accumulates around the stomach area poses a greater health risk than fat stored in the lower half of the body.
Waist Circumference - Gender
A man's body is typically more "apple" shaped. He tends to collect fat around his waist and stomach area (beer belly). By contrast, womens bodies are more "pear" shaped as they tend to collect fat on their hips, buttocks and thighs. People with "apple" body shapes are more prone to develop diabetes and heart disease than those with "pear" body shapes.
Waist Circumference - Relevant for Normal Weight and Overweight
Waist circumference measurement is particularly useful in patients who are categorized as overweight on the BMI scale, although increased waist circumference can also be a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight. However, for someone with a BMI of 35 or over (obese), waist circumference has little added predictive power of disease risk beyond that of BMI. It is therefore not necessary to measure waist circumference in individuals with BMIs of 35 or over.
Waist Circumference - Health Risks
A high waist circumference is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and CVD in patients with a BMI in a range between 25 and 34.9. Monitoring changes in waist circumference over time may be helpful, in addition to measuring BMI, since it can provide an estimate of increased abdominal fat even in the absence of a change in BMI. Furthermore, in obese patients with metabolic complications, changes in waist circumference are useful predictors of changes in CVD risk factors.
Measuring Your Waist Circumference
Measure your waist without holding the tape too tightly (or too loosely). As a rough guide, your waist is the narrowest part of your trunk, or approximately 1 inch above your belly button.
Waist Measurements - Healthy and Unhealthy
Waist Circumference and BMI - Guidelines
Table 1. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Weight - Using BMI and Waist Circumference
Sources:Includes information from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and American Dietetics Association.
loss information - Rapid Weight Loss
- Diet Program - How
to Lose Weight - Best Weight Loss Goals
Weight Loss Advice - Healthy Balanced Diet - Body Fat Percentage - Diets & Weight Loss Programs
Information on Weight Loss Diets - How to Reduce Weight - Weight Management - Weight Loss Surgery Information
Surgery Benefits/Risks - Weight Loss Drugs Advice - Weight Loss Pills / Weight Loss Pills Information
Xenical Weight Loss Drugs - Meridia/Sibutramine Pills - Guide to Diet Pills - Calorie Needs - Weight Loss Supplements
How to Control Weight - Body Mass Index Calculator - Exercise & Fitness to Lose Weight - Weight Health Issues - Obesity
Treatment of Obesity - Advice About Weight Loss - Questions on Weight Loss & Diet - Weight Loss Advice for Women
Weight Loss Advice for Diabetics - Weight Loss Advice for Teenagers - Weight Loss Advice for Adolescents
Diet & Weight Information - Weight Loss Support - Obesity Drug Treatment - Obesity & Gallstones - How to Lower Cholesterol
Dietary Guidelines - Protein, Carbs & Diet - Carbohydrates & Weight Loss - Weight Gain at College
Weight Gain After Quit Smoking - Weight Control in Menopause - Weight Gain in Pregnancy - Weight Control in Pregnancy
Weight Loss Breast-Feeding - Healthy Weight Range - Healthy Weight Loss Diet - Waist Circumference - Weight Cycling
Weight Health Risks - Weight Risks Assessment - Weight Reduction Tips - Weight Loss Guidelines - Weight Loss Products
Weight Loss Tools - Weight Maintenance