“Centimeters of Health”: doctors told what the waist size should be for women and men

It became known what the waist should be in women and men who do not suffer from visceral obesity. Doctor Ekaterina Terentyeva answered a question that interests many, Moslenta reports.

The doctor recalled that visceral fat does not accumulate under the skin, but deep inside, between the organs located in the abdominal cavity, and when its amount becomes excessive, it creates certain health risks.

You can find out about the presence of visceral fat in an amount dangerous for a person by measuring your waist. You can do this yourself. “For women of average height, the normal waist circumference should not exceed 88 centimeters, for men – 94 centimeters,” Terentyeva said.

According to her, a person’s progressive abdominal enlargement is a serious reason to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. Visceral fat is capable of producing hormone-like substances, which, if in excess, can lead to the development of chronic inflammation, increased sugar levels, and vascular problems, the doctor explained.

Meanwhile, British doctors approach the matter more pedantically. Guidelines from Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence note that a waist circumference greater than half a person’s height indicates a greater health risk. So, if a person’s height is 160 cm, then the waist size should not be more than 80 cm, with a height of 180 cm – more than 90 cm. Doctors also suggest dividing two numbers – waist size in centimeters by height, also in centimeters. A healthy waist-to-height ratio ranges from 0.4 to 0.49, an increased risk is indicated by a reading of 0.5 to 0.59, and a serious health risk by a reading of 0.6 or more.

So, a woman with a waist of 75 cm and a height of 160 cm will receive a result of 0.46 – that is, she has no health risk. At the same time, a man 172 cm tall with an abdominal circumference of 100 cm will receive a risk warning indicator of 0.58, notes DP.