Abdominal girth, often referred to as waist circumference, is a simple measurement taken around the midsection of your body. It provides a straightforward indicator of the amount of fat stored around your organs. This measurement helps assess potential health risks associated with body fat distribution and offers a quick way to gain insight into your overall health status.
How Abdominal Girth is Measured
To accurately measure abdominal girth, begin by locating the top of your hip bone (iliac crest) on your right side. Just above this point, place a horizontal mark on your midaxillary line. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and your stomach relaxed, facing a mirror if possible to ensure proper tape placement.
Next, wrap a flexible measuring tape around your abdomen at the level of the marked point, ensuring the tape is parallel to the floor and not twisted. The tape should be snug against your skin but should not compress it or dig in.
Breathe out normally and take the measurement at the end of a gentle exhalation. It is important not to hold your breath or pull in your belly during this step, as this can lead to an inaccurate reading. Perform the measurement twice to confirm accuracy and record the average of the two readings.
What Abdominal Girth Measurements Indicate
Abdominal girth measurements offer valuable insights into your health, particularly regarding the amount of visceral fat you carry. Visceral fat is a type of body fat stored deep within your abdominal walls, surrounding organs like the liver and intestines. While some visceral fat is normal and helps protect organs, excessive amounts are linked to various health concerns.
For men, an abdominal girth greater than 40 inches (102 cm) indicates an increased risk for health problems. For women, a measurement greater than 35 inches (88 cm) suggests a similar elevated risk. These thresholds are used to identify individuals with abdominal obesity, even those with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).
A high abdominal girth, reflecting increased visceral fat, is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and insulin resistance. This also increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Visceral fat is metabolically active, releasing hormones and inflammatory chemicals that contribute to chronic inflammation, a factor in many chronic diseases.
Beyond metabolic and cardiovascular issues, elevated abdominal girth has also been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.