How to (and Why) Measure Waist Circumference

Men accumulate fat in the belly while women tend to store fat in their hips and thighs.

Waist circumference measurements are one indicator of overall health. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, men with waist circumference greater than 40 inches are at increased risk for heart disease and other diseases. Waist circumference is measured and compared to hip circumference in the waist-to-hip ratio assessment for body composition -- fat vs. lean tissue. Waist circumference that is 90 percent or more of the hip circumference in men (or 85 percent or greater in women) indicates an unhealthy amount of visceral fat, which surrounds the main organs. Waist circumference needs to be carefully measured.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Measure waist circumference directly on the skin. Clothing will affect the accuracy of your measurement.

2. Place the tape measure around the person's waist -- just above the hip bone. Make sure the tape measure is at the same height for the entire circumference. If the tape is angled, the measurement will not be accurate.

3. Instruct the person to take a deep breath, let it out and completely relax his abdominal muscles. Contracted ab muscles will reduce the measurement. Pull the ends of the tape measure snugly, but not firmly, toward each other. If the tape measure is pulled too tight, the skin will indent and the measurement will be too small. Read and record the measurement in centimeters or inches and be consistent with this for later measurements to make comparison easier.

Tips & Warnings

• Your waist circumference is usually measured at the level of your belly button and NOT where you wear your pants.

• For more heart healthy info visit www.heart-strong.com

References

• Mayo Clinic: Belly Fat in Men: Why Weight Loss Matters
• American Association of Retired Persons: Mayo Clinic Study says Waist-Hip Ratio Matters More than BMI for Heart Patients; May 3, 2011