Waist Measurement

Measurement of waist circumference is a routine procedure used to assess the amount of fat accumulated around the abdomen and to detect the risk of developing cardiovascular or metabolic disease.

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General DescriptionPre-test PreparationHospitals

General Description

Waist circumference is a measurement used as an indicator to assess an individual’s cardiovascular and metabolic risk. This measurement makes it possible to determine the amount of fat accumulated around the abdomen; the greater this accumulation, the higher the likelihood of developing diabetes or heart diseaseHeart DiseaseHeart Disease .

A patient is considered to have abdominal obesity if the following characteristics are present when measuring waist circumference:

  • Women: more than 88 centimeters in circumference.
  • Men: more than 100 centimeters in circumference.

Waist measurement is not an isolated assessment, but rather part of a set of examinations performed by specialists to evaluate a patient’s health status. It is usually carried out together with a blood test, a body composition analysis, and other functional tests.

When is it indicated?

Waist measurement is a preventive tool that is routinely used in periodic health check-ups. It is particularly relevant in patients with overweight or when there is suspected risk of:

How is it performed?

To measure the waist correctly, the measuring tape (non-stretchable and flexible) is placed horizontally at the midpoint between the last costal margin (the lower part of the thoracic wall) and the iliac crest (the upper border of the iliac bone forming the hip). During the procedure, the patient must remain standing upright, with feet together.

In most cases, hip circumference is also measured at the point of maximum circumference over the buttocks to determine fat distribution, which is assessed by evaluating the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The WHR is calculated by dividing the waist circumference value by the hip circumference value. The cardiovascular disease risk thresholds are as follows:

  • Women: WHR equal to or greater than 0.85.
  • Men: WHR equal to or greater than 0.90.

Risks

Waist measurement involves no risks.

What to expect from waist measurement

Measurement of waist circumference takes less than one minute. After uncovering the torso (or only the abdomen), the patient stands with feet together and arms at the sides of the body.

The specialist will usually perform additional tests to complete the full examination.

Specialties in which waist measurement is requested

Abdominal circumference is used in Family and community medicine, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Cardiology, Sports medicine, Occupational Medicine, and Gynecology and Obstetrics.

How to prepare

No prior preparation is necessary for waist measurement. The abdomen simply needs to be exposed so the specialist can take the measurement.