Why Measure Your Waist Size?

Waist circumference is a convenient and simple measure to tell you much body fat you have and where it is placed around your body. It raises people’s awareness of their personal susceptibility to lifestyle-related diseases. Changes in waist size over time can indicate an increase or decrease in abdominal fat which is associated with increased risk of heart attack and other chronic diseases.

	Increased risk: more than 80cm Greatly increased risk: more than 88cm
	Increased risk: more than 94cm Greatly increased risk: more than 102cm

*According to WHO and NHMRC, a waist circumference of more than 80cm for women
and 94cm for men increases the risk of developing chronic disease.
**A waist measurement of more than 88cm for women
and 102 cm for men means a greatly increased risk of metabolic complications.

How to Measure Your Waist Size

Place the tape measure halfway between your hip bone and your lowest rib, around the smallest area above your belly button. Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around and does not push in or indent the skin. Relax, exhale, and measure.