Video:How to Measure Waist Circumference

Transcript:How to Measure Waist Circumference

Carrying fat around the waist places a person at much greater risk of developing obesity-related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.  An easy way to determine risk is to measure the circumference of the waist.

Steps for How to Measure Waist Circumference

To measure your waist circumference, follow these steps: Remove any extra layers of clothing Stand with weight evenly distributed on both feet

Mark the natural waist at the smallest area between the bottom of the ribs and the most prominent bone on the pelvis, usually called "the hip."

Place the zero end of the tape measure at the natural waist mark and wrap the tape around during a normal exhalation without suppressing the skin The number where the tape meets is the waist circumference.

How to Determine Risk Based on Measuring Waist Circumference

The risk for disease increases with a waist circumference of

35 inches or more for women; 40 inches or more for men

Another way to think about waist size is that a healthy waist should be less than half of an individual's height in inches.