Hip, Bust, Waist Ratios?

Interesting thread!

I've read that a woman's waist measurement should be under 35" (and a man's under 40") but I can't find where that measurement is to be taken. My natural waist is considerably smaller than my measurement at belly button level! I also agree with pp's that a waist to height ratio makes a LOT more sense than one number for people of all different heights and builds. And then I think the waist: hip ratio is supposed to be 0.8 or greater?

Anyhow, I'm 5'7", about 131 lbs and bust 37", natural waist 29", hips 38".

My measurements are pretty close to the OP. Once I lose this weight, my waist will go down 2-3 inches but my hips/bust only go down about 1 inch each. I don't look terribly curvy, as I have muscular thighs & broad shoulders, plus my waist gets hidden easily by clothing. In most clothes, I would look like a "ruler", but put me in a figure-hugging dress with some spanx & I definitely look like an hourglass.

5'2" - 153 lbs (working to lose 15-20)
bust 39
waist 31
hips 41

Interesting thread!

I've read that a woman's waist measurement should be under 35" (and a man's under 40") but I can't find where that measurement is to be taken. My natural waist is considerably smaller than my measurement at belly button level! I also agree with pp's that a waist to height ratio makes a LOT more sense than one number for people of all different heights and builds. And then I think the waist: hip ratio is supposed to be 0.8 or greater?

Anyhow, I'm 5'7", about 131 lbs and bust 37", natural waist 29", hips 38".

The measurement is supposed to be taken at the natural waist (narrowest part of the torso).
The hip ratio is supposed to be 0.8 or smaller. Larger than 0.8 is not good (apple shape).

Height: 5'2.75
Weight: 116
Bust: 35
Waist: 27
Hips: 37

I would say I'm hour glass just looking at me, but after this thread, who knows lol

Im 118-120
5'3
bust-32
waist-27
hips-33

Ive been called an hourglass and a "banana"..
when I weighed more, interesting, I think I looked classic hourglass..I can still see curves, but Ive lost so much fat off my hips, its not a "big" a curve as it used to be.

If you want to know the very best indicator of health you will look to your physician and your blood work (cholesterol, liver/kidney functions hormone levels) and cardiac workup. You can meet every single number of the BMI, the scale, the tape measure and still be so very unhealthy. I have also seen people who fall into the morbid obese range and yet their blood work and cardiac workup comes back AMAZINGLY healthy.

That is just my two cents from working as a nurse in primary care for 10+ years.....

Exactly
I have an appt next week to do just this!

Interesting thread!

I've read that a woman's waist measurement should be under 35" (and a man's under 40") but I can't find where that measurement is to be taken. My natural waist is considerably smaller than my measurement at belly button level! I also agree with pp's that a waist to height ratio makes a LOT more sense than one number for people of all different heights and builds. And then I think the waist: hip ratio is supposed to be 0.8 or greater?

Anyhow, I'm 5'7", about 131 lbs and bust 37", natural waist 29", hips 38".

The measurement is supposed to be taken at the natural waist (narrowest part of the torso).
The hip ratio is supposed to be 0.8 or smaller. Larger than 0.8 is not good (apple shape).

Sorry, yes, I meant 0.8 or smaller!
If it's at the natural waist then I'm good!

Belly fat being the great evil is frustrating for someone with PCOS, since that's where our bodies naturally tend to store fat. Skinny arms and legs but still a flabby belly. Hoping lifting/HIIT/recomp will help with that.

You will get conflicting results because health organizations don't always agree on this subject.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-definition/abdominal-obesity/
http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article folder/waisttohipUNM.html

The WHO sets this standard for healthy hip to waist ratio -
Women: > 0.85, Men: > 0.9

http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/obesity/WHO_report_waistcircumference_and_waisthip_ratio/en/

Waist to height is another way to measure risk

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16236591
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245328.php
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v27/n5/full/0802259a.html

I've never seen bust size tied to disease risk, but that doesn't mean it's not.

Also, it's important to take measurements correctly. Many women tend to measure at the narrowest point, which usually incorrect.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm

To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.

Also, it's important to take measurements correctly. Many women tend to measure at the narrowest point, which usually incorrect.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm

To correctly measure your waist, stand and place a tape measure around your middle, just above your hipbones. Measure your waist just after you breathe out.

Blah. I like my natural waist better.

I seriously read up on this all over the place trying to figure out where the waist measurement should be and could not find a consensus.

I'm pretty sure that I'm a pear. I carry all of my weight in my hips, thighs and butt.

5'0
155 lbs
Bust: 36
Waist: 24
Hips:46

I'm 5'9'' and 183 lbs
36-32-42

I'm 5'9 and 153 pounds

Bust: 38
Waist: 27
Hips: 39

Think that I'm quite hourglass shaped

I was just reading an article yesterday that talked about two types of belly fat. Visceral being the fat that is way below the surface and can surround and affect your vital organs. Then there is the subcutaneous fat that is the fat that lies just beneath the skin. You know that stuff muffin tops are made of and you can pinch an inch or way more in some cases. I have quite a few inches to lose.

Hi I'm 5'1 125(ish) lbs
my measurements are 32-28-38 (after i eat) but in the morning with an empty stomach my waist is 26 inches