Waist Circumference
This is a simple measurement of your waist circumference. It is to determine if you have central (abdominal) obesity (see figure below).
Abdominal Obesity Measurement Guidelines for Different Ethnic Group
| Country / Ethnic Group | Gender | Waist Circumference (as measure of central obesity) |
| Europids | Male | ≥ 94 cm |
| Female | ≥ 80 cm | |
| USA (AIPIC) | Male | ≥ 102 cm |
| Female | ≥ 88 cm | |
| South Asians (Asian-Indian population, Malay) | Male | ≥ 90 cm |
| Female | ≥ 80 cm | |
| Chinese | Male | ≥ 90 cm |
| Female | ≥ 80 cm | |
| Japanese | Male | ≥ 90 cm |
| Female | ≥ 80 cm | |
| Ethnic South and Central Americans | Use South Asian recommendations until more specific data are available | |
| Sub-Saharan Africans | Use European data until more specific data are available | |
| Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (Arab) populations | Use European data until more specific data are available | |
Increased waist circumference is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and also associated with metabolic syndrome and potential to develop diabetes.
Increased waist circumference is also a marker for increased risk even in persons of normal weight.