Measuring your waist circumference can help provide medical professionals insight into your health and your risks for developing obesity-related conditions. There are a variety of factors that are used to determine a healthy waist size including your height and weight. As a result, healthy waist measurements vary from person to person. Waist circumference is often used in conjunction with body mass index -- BMI -- in order to determine if you are at a healthy weight.
Waist Measurements
Waist measurements are one tool that can help screen you for obesity as well as the conditions that come along with obesity. The greater the amount of fat around your waist, the greater your risk of developing a variety of medical conditions related to obesity. For women, your waist size should not exceed 35 inches. Men should not exceed a waist size of greater than 40 inches.
Measuring Your Waist
In order to get a precise measurement of your waist circumference, position a tape measure around your stomach just above your hip bones -- clothing should not be in the way. Pull the measuring tape tight without compressing the surrounding skin. Be sure that the measuring tape is parallel to the floor. Take a deep breath, exhale and measure your waist. For an accurate reading, avoid sucking in any fat as you measure.
BMI
Body mass index -- or BMI -- is used to help determine if you are at healthy weight or if you are overweight or at risk for obesity. BMI is a comparison of your height versus your weight. To calculate your BMI, you take your weight and pounds and multiply it by 703. Take this number and divide it by your height in inches squared. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. An overweight BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9. Obesity is a BMI of over 30.0. If you have a BMI of 18.5 or below, you are considered to be underweight.
Dangers of Belly Fat
Too much fat around your belly can be dangerous to your health. In men, belly fat can lead to heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure as well as cancer and diabetes. Women are also at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, breast cancer, gallbladder issues and colorectal cancer. It is important to remember that even if you are at a normal weight, too much fat centered around the middle of your body can also be dangerous.
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