The waist is generally the most narrow part of the body between breast and hip. Women find the waist about 2-3cm above the navel. The waist position of men can be above or beneath the navel.
To support the individual efforts of preventive behaviour it is possible to set Goal values for this parameter.
The waist circumference (also called belly circumference) itself can be an important parameter for calculating the Health risk presented by android fat distribution.
The parameters waist circumference, BMI (Body Mass Index) and WHR (Waist-Hip Ratio) were compared in several studies (see for instance [Lean et al. 1995]). The results show: A waist circumference of 94cm or greater for men and 80cm or greater for women goes along with an increased BMI or THI in 95% of all cases (see Overview of classification ranges used in the GMON).
Those person have a BMI over 25 kg/m². In case the BMI is smaller then 25 kg/m², the THI is over 0.95 for men and 0.8 for woman. Both values are a sign for higher risk to come down with the consequences of overweight.
Measuring the waist circumference is not complicate, doesn't take much time and can help a lot to estimate you risk!
Is the waist circumference increasing over 94cm for men and 80cm for women you should at least complete the health monitoring by measuring the body and vital values.
Overview of classification ranges used in the GMON