How To Measure Your Waist Circumference Properly
Information provided by Disabled World - Published: 2010-08-18
Learn how to quickly and properly measure your waist circumference to calculate your Body Mass Index.
Your waist circumference is usually measured at the level of your belly button, not where you wear your pants.
* Find the point between your lowest ribs and your hip bones by placing your hands on your hips.
* Place the tape measure around your waist.
* Relax your stomach by breathing out gently, but do not suck in your tummy.
* Be sure that the tape is snug, but does not compress your skin, and is parallel to the floor.
* Adjust the tape so that it is level around your waist line and take the measurement.
Men - Male waist circumference should be less than 40 inches (102 cm).
Women - Female waist circumference should be less than 35 inches (88 cm).
If you carry fat mainly around your waistline, you are more likely to develop issues with your health, such as heart disease and diabetes, than if you carry fat mainly in your hip and thigh areas.
If your waist circumference measurement is higher than the above figures you may want to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI).
Also see our Body Fat Percentage Calculator and Height to Weight Ratio Chart.
- This web page is from the Disabled World Calculators and Charts section which provides: Calculators graphs and charts for weights and measures distance conversions and health and fitness charts including height to weight ratio.
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