---
title: Waist Circumference
slug: waist-circumference
docTags: 
createdAt: 2021-03-05T03:21:12.000Z
---

| **Data Type**              | Body Circumference, Health Indicator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Source**                 | World Health Organization. (2011). [Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation](https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44583/9789241501491_eng.pdf?sequence=1), Geneva, 8-11 December 2008.<br /><br />[International Diabetes Federation.](https://www.idf.org/component/attachments/attachments.html?id=705\&task=download) Alberti, G., Zimmet, P. Z., Shaw, J., & Grundy, S. M. (2006). The IDF consensus worldwide definition of metabolic syndrome. |
| **Predictors**             | Ethnicity, gender, waist circumference                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **Data Validation**        | Externally Validated. Validated against ISAK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| **Risk Category**          | Low, Medium, High                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| **Cohort**                 | South Asian, Chinese, Japanese, South, and Central Americans<br />United States, Europids, Middle East, African                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Strengths & Weaknesses** | Strength: Stronger predictor than Waist-Hip ratio due to relative ease.<br />Weakness (not implemented): It is desirable to obtain real-BMI, where possible, and consider the utility of joint use of the two indicators.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| **Notes**                  |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

## Measurement Location

- Waist circumference is measured at the narrowest point between the top of the hip bone and the lowest palpable rib. This is consistent with ISAK standards.

## Risk Information

- A larger waist can be associated with increased risks of disease and mortality, due to higher levels of abdominal fat in the form of visceral adipose tissue.
- Waist size is influenced by our genetics and lifestyle. Conscious and positive changes to diet and exercise can reduce our waist circumference and abdominal fat.
- Recommended ranges of waist circumference are presented below for males and females of different ethnicities.


## United States, Europids, Middle East, African

| **Risk**   | **Males**         | **Females**      |
| ---------- | ----------------- | ---------------- |
| **LOW**    | \< 94 cm          | \< 80 cm         |
| **MEDIUM** | ≥ 94 cm \< 102 cm | ≥ 80 cm \< 88 cm |
| **HIGH**   | ≥ 102 cm          | ≥ 88 cm          |

- **Low Risk**
  The World Health Organisation defines a male waist circumference of less than 94 cm or a female waist circumference of less than 80 cm as low risk.

- **Medium Risk**
  The World Health Organisation defines a male waist circumference of more than 94 cm and less than 102 cm, or a female waist circumference of more than 80 cm and less than 88 cm as an increased risk.

- **High Risk**
  The World Health Organisation defines a male waist circumference above 102 cm or a female waist circumference above 88 cm as a substantially increased risk.



## South Asian, Chinese, Japanese, South, and Central Americans

| **Risk** | **Males** | **Females** |
| -------- | --------- | ----------- |
| **LOW**  | \< 90 cm  | \< 80 cm    |
| **HIGH** | ≥ 90 cm   | ≥ 80 cm     |

- **Low Risk**
  The International Diabetes Federation defines a male waist circumference of less than 90 cm or a female waist circumference of less than 80 cm as low risk.

- **High Risk**
  The International Diabetes Federation defines a male waist circumference of more than 90 cm or a female waist circumference of more than 80 cm as an increased risk.