Waist circumference

A useful indicator of obesity,

especially of central obesity
Measurement are taken at the
narrowest part of the upper
body (above the “umbilicus”) at
the end of a normal breath
Cardiovascular Risk
Ideal Increased Risk Greater Risk
Male <94 94-101 >102
Female <80 80-87 >88
Girth in centimetres
Ref: Han et al, BMJ 1995 311:1401-5
 Waist circumference / hip circumference
An indicator of body fat distribution
High health risk at 0.82 for women
& 0.94 for men indicating a tendency
for central fat deposition & possible
 health risk
Hip circumference with clothing
introduces error