How to calculate waist / hip and waist circumference? They are useful calculations to know the waist and hip circumference of a person, to know if they are at risk.
Nowadays, many nutritionists and dietitians have several useful tools to know not only the level of obesity and overweight that the person may have, but also to discover a little more about their BMI and their waist circumference.
For some years now, many nutritionists, dietitians and health experts agree that more than the BMI (Body Mass Index), there would actually be another more useful parameter to discover not only if the person is overweight or obese, but if they are at risk of suffering from a cardiometabolic disorder: waist measurement, ultimately related to abdominal obesity.
The perimeter of the waist and hips is a useful parameter to know the volume of abdominal fat that the person may have, and it is complemented almost perfectly with the weight data that the classic lifelong scale can tell us. In fact, there is no doubt that this parameter has replaced the calculation of BMI because it has proven its effectiveness over the years, since a high waist circumference can be indicative of an increased risk of suffering from various cardiovascular diseases.
Waist / hip circumference, what is it?
The perimeter of the waist and hips is a useful parameter to know the volume of abdominal fat that the person may have, and it is complemented almost perfectly with the weight data that the classic lifelong scale can tell us.
There is no doubt that this parameter has replaced the BMI calculation because it has proven its effectiveness over the years, since a high waist circumference may be indicative of an increased risk of suffering from various cardiovascular diseases.
Of course, it should be noted that these data can be complemented not only with the data provided by the scale, but by the BMI calculator.
How to measure the waist circumference?
To carry out the measurement, you only need to get a nutritional meter (the one for sewing, if it is flexible, can be used), a paper and a pen. It is recommended to be naked, standing, looking in the mirror and always do it at the same time:
- Take the first measurement at your waist, locating the lower part of the ribs (usually it is at the level of the navel). Write down the measurement at the moment when you expel the air slightly.
- Locate the top of the hip bones on both sides, and measure your hips, also expelling the air slightly.
Once you have taken and recorded the two measurements, divide the waist result by the hip result: waist / hip. Finally, the number that appears in the calculator must be taken into account to discover if your perimeter is normal or if your fat distribution is greater than medically recommended.
In the case of women, the measurement of the waist circumference should not exceed 88 centimeters, while in the case of men it should not exceed 100.
How to calculate waist / hip circumference?
To perform the calculation, you only need to get a nutritional meter (the sewing meter, if it is flexible, can be used), a paper and a pen.
Of course, it is advisable to take the measurement naked, standing, looking in the mirror (so that you can check for yourself that the measurement is carried out correctly) and always at the same time (preferably on an empty stomach, in the morning).
First, you must make the first measurement on your waist, locating the lower part of the ribs (usually it is at the level of the navel). Write down the measurement at the moment when you expel the air slightly.
Second, locate the top of the hip bones on both sides, and measure your hips, also expelling the air slightly.
Once you have made and recorded the two measurements, you must divide the result of the waist by the result of the hip: waist / hip. Finally, the number that appears in the calculator must be taken into account to discover if your perimeter is normal or if your fat distribution is greater than medically recommended.
In the case of women, the measurement of the waist circumference should not exceed 88 centimeters, while in the case of men it should not exceed 100.
What are the consequences of having a waist circumference greater than normal?
Basically it increases the risk up to 3 times of developing coronary, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Therefore, it is advisable to consider a weight loss to reduce the circumference of the waist.
Is the waist / hip circumference out of date?
The scientific journal has published a recent study in which it is concluded that incorporating the measurement of waist circumference in routine medical practice would help to better prevent the most important risk factors related to abdominal obesity.
Therefore, it highlights the importance of regularly measuring the waist circumference of both children and adolescents, by improving the detection of those minors who are exposed to cardiometabolic risks.
