waist should be less than half your height

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Replies

  • kportwood85
    kportwood85 Posts: 151 Member
    I definitely have more weight I want to lose, but, at 64 inches tall, with a 32 inch waist, I'm doing alright.

    'Bout time this hourglass figure seemed worth it.
  • SlimMe37
    SlimMe37 Posts: 133 Member
    Did I calculate this right?
    I am 5'2 tall
    so 52 divided by 2?
    that equals 26in, being that my waist should be less than 26in

    If so it sounds right to me.
    :) x

    If that is how you calculate it, then I'm at the right waist size at 29in :)
  • SingRunTing
    SingRunTing Posts: 2,604 Member
    Did I calculate this right?
    I am 5'2 tall
    so 52 divided by 2?
    that equals 26in, being that my waist should be less than 26in

    If so it sounds right to me.
    :) x

    No.

    5 feet is 60 inches, so 5'2 is 62 inches.

    Divide that by 2 = 31 inches.

    Your waist should be less than 31 inches.

    Keep in mind that this is a health marker, not an ideal body marker.
  • sixtyinchesoffury
    sixtyinchesoffury Posts: 321 Member
    Mine is about 30". I'm only 5 feet tall! I am 133 pounds, I am confused on how everyone has such small waists!! But mostly just jealous lol

    this except i'm 138. ugh.....:noway: :noway: :noway:
  • smburdette
    smburdette Posts: 3 Member
    I am wondering how many people are confused about were their waist is on their body. Your waist is above your navel not were your pants ride.
  • TLB86
    TLB86 Posts: 275 Member
    So mine should be less than 33in. 2 inches to go, nice 1!!! Lets go...

    (5ft6, 201lb)
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    It's interesting, because they've always said that the hourglass shape is correlated with lower risk of heart disease and stuff. A lot of this is genetic; my mom is overweight but she would have to be really overweight to be more than 34" at the waist, just because of her shape. Even when I'm "bigger", my waist is still 24". So it sounds like it's less about weight than where your body holds fat.

    I agree with this. My sister is 10 lbs less than me, 3 inches taller and has a THICKER waist. It's more of a straight down (boy shape) torso. I have a more narrow waist. These studies drive me nuts. We are all NOT made the exact same shape...look at bodybuilders...some have thicker waists, others tiny as a 12 yr old girls...and most ALL around 3% body fat.

    Just do your thing, keep on moving, eat great food 80% of the time with yummies where they fit, and go by how you FEEL. It's the simple stuff.

    Yeah I think this rule probably applies better to men than to women. We are more standardized in that department.

    It's not a rule. It's a health marker. And as such, would apply to everyone. But, like all health markers (lipids, BP, etc.) it just measures risk. There is no guarantee that a waist within the range will keep you healthy, or that you will be unhealthy if your waist is outside the range.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    It's interesting, because they've always said that the hourglass shape is correlated with lower risk of heart disease and stuff. A lot of this is genetic; my mom is overweight but she would have to be really overweight to be more than 34" at the waist, just because of her shape. Even when I'm "bigger", my waist is still 24". So it sounds like it's less about weight than where your body holds fat.

    I agree with this. My sister is 10 lbs less than me, 3 inches taller and has a THICKER waist. It's more of a straight down (boy shape) torso. I have a more narrow waist. These studies drive me nuts. We are all NOT made the exact same shape...look at bodybuilders...some have thicker waists, others tiny as a 12 yr old girls...and most ALL around 3% body fat.

    Just do your thing, keep on moving, eat great food 80% of the time with yummies where they fit, and go by how you FEEL. It's the simple stuff.

    Yeah I think this rule probably applies better to men than to women. We are more standardized in that department.

    It's not a rule. It's a health marker. And as such, would apply to everyone. But, like all health markers (lipids, BP, etc.) it just measures risk. There is no guarantee that a waist within the range will keep you healthy, or that you will be unhealthy if your waist is outside the range.
    BINGO
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    if this was true, my waist should be about 31 inches or less. my waist is legitmately about 22 inches, so i can't even imagine how big 31 inches would be. and my bmi is about 20, so i cant imagine being that big. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, i just find it odd.
    First, creepy avatar.
    Second HAVE YOU TRIED READING??
    And then maybe...comprehending?

    Sorry, but come on already.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    People need to make sure they understand what is meant by waist size. It's not the same as pants/jeans size! You need to measure below your lowest rib and above your hip bone. For most people this is across the belly button. You can't lift up your belly if it hangs over and measure underneath it. I think I could squeeze into a size 40 pair of jeans when my waist was easily 50 or more. Currently I wear a size 31 in jeans but my waist is around 35 inches.

    The American Heart Association has maintained for quite a while that a HIGH correlation exists between heart disease and having 2x waist > height. To the people saying they "don't agree", what exactly do you not agree with? Unless you object to the way this study was designed the results are the results. You must also understand a correlation is just that, a correlation. We know smoking is highly correlated with lung cancer. We also know plenty of people who smoke and have never had lung cancer. Having a waist 2x > height does not guarantee healthy problems, you are simply at more risk to develop them then someone who does not have waist 2x > height.
  • fitfabforties
    fitfabforties Posts: 370 Member
    well that would make my waist 31.5" as half my height and mine is 28" so I'm doing ok....:)
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    People need to make sure they understand what is meant by waist size. It's not the same as pants/jeans size! You need to measure below your lowest rib and above your hip bone. For most people this is across the belly button. You can't lift up your belly if it hangs over and measure underneath it. I think I could squeeze into a size 40 pair of jeans when my waist was easily 50 or more. Currently I wear a size 31 in jeans but my waist is around 35 inches.

    The American Heart Association has maintained for quite a while that a HIGH correlation exists between heart disease and having 2x waist > height. To the people saying they "don't agree", what exactly do you not agree with? Unless you object to the way this study was designed the results are the results. You must also understand a correlation is just that, a correlation. We know smoking is highly correlated with lung cancer. We also know plenty of people who smoke and have never had lung cancer. Having a waist 2x > height does not guarantee healthy problems, you are simply at more risk to develop them then someone who does not have waist 2x > height.
    This.

    There is a definite correlation between people who carry their weight around their middle (as opposed to around their hips and buttocks) and a higher incidence of heart disease. It has to do with the fat being around the major organs. The more fat is around one's middle, the higher the likelihood that you'll end up with heart disease. The waist < 1/2 height is not some artbitrary designation. The first time I heard that was the first time I was happy that my fat concentrates itself on my thighs. Heart disease runs in my husband's family. All of the overweight men in his family have big bellies and skinny legs. Most of them have had heart issues and both of his grandfathers died of heart attacks. By contrast, the men in my family are all built more like me and there have been no heart issues at all.
  • Mine is 26/27, so I'm good.
  • ZBuffBod
    ZBuffBod Posts: 297 Member
    At 5'7", my waist should be 33.5. At 37 currently, I guess I should be able to whittle it down to 33.5 when I get to goal weight.
  • 37-inches? Well I think that should be doable!
  • kkimpel
    kkimpel Posts: 303 Member
    if this was true, my waist should be about 31 inches or less. my waist is legitmately about 22 inches, so i can't even imagine how big 31 inches would be. and my bmi is about 20, so i cant imagine being that big. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, i just find it odd.
    First, creepy avatar.
    Second HAVE YOU TRIED READING??
    And then maybe...comprehending?

    Sorry, but come on already.

    Thanks.. I thought maybe I was being overly sensitive ..
  • SlimMe37
    SlimMe37 Posts: 133 Member
    Did I calculate this right?
    I am 5'2 tall
    so 52 divided by 2?
    that equals 26in, being that my waist should be less than 26in

    If so it sounds right to me.
    :) x

    No.

    5 feet is 60 inches, so 5'2 is 62 inches.

    Divide that by 2 = 31 inches.

    Your waist should be less than 31 inches.

    Keep in mind that this is a health marker, not an ideal body marker.

    Thanks for that. It wants me less than 34 inches as I'm 5ft 8in.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    People need to make sure they understand what is meant by waist size. It's not the same as pants/jeans size! You need to measure below your lowest rib and above your hip bone. For most people this is across the belly button. You can't lift up your belly if it hangs over and measure underneath it. I think I could squeeze into a size 40 pair of jeans when my waist was easily 50 or more. Currently I wear a size 31 in jeans but my waist is around 35 inches.

    The American Heart Association has maintained for quite a while that a HIGH correlation exists between heart disease and having 2x waist > height. To the people saying they "don't agree", what exactly do you not agree with? Unless you object to the way this study was designed the results are the results. You must also understand a correlation is just that, a correlation. We know smoking is highly correlated with lung cancer. We also know plenty of people who smoke and have never had lung cancer. Having a waist 2x > height does not guarantee healthy problems, you are simply at more risk to develop them then someone who does not have waist 2x > height.
    This.

    There is a definite correlation between people who carry their weight around their middle (as opposed to around their hips and buttocks) and a higher incidence of heart disease. It has to do with the fat being around the major organs. The more fat is around one's middle, the higher the likelihood that you'll end up with heart disease. The waist < 1/2 height is not some artbitrary designation. The first time I heard that was the first time I was happy that my fat concentrates itself on my thighs. Heart disease runs in my husband's family. All of the overweight men in his family have big bellies and skinny legs. Most of them have had heart issues and both of his grandfathers died of heart attacks. By contrast, the men in my family are all built more like me and there have been no heart issues at all.
    +1 for that
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Oh, I hope that is true! I only need to lose one inch off my waist to meet that requirement, even though I'm just starting and I'm more than 20 lbs overweight by BMI.

    I did a little googling to make sure I was measuring the in the right spot, and I am (between the lowest rib bone and the hip bone, according to one article on the study).

    I suppose I should thank my parents.

    I thought of this thread when I measured this morning and found I'm now in the healthy waist range. Down almost 2 full inches! Yay me! :heart:
  • People have different body types, so I can't see this always possible.
    A girl I work with has the pear/chicken shaped body. Really waste was like a size 14, but her legs were skinny and would be like some one is a size 8 pant.
    My sister also has this issue.

    I am guessing a guy wrote this rule.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    People have different body types, so I can't see this always possible.
    A girl I work with has the pear/chicken shaped body. Really waste was like a size 14, but her legs were skinny and would be like some one is a size 8 pant.
    My sister also has this issue.

    I am guessing a guy wrote this rule.

    It's not a rule. It's a statistical health marker.
  • That is interesting. I have quite a few inches to go! Gives me a new goal!
    :happy:
  • I'm 5' 1" and need to lose 10" off my waist if this is true!!! YIKES
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I'm good
  • Kari121869
    Kari121869 Posts: 180 Member
    Mine should be 32 it says.. I'm pretty much there (fit in a size 10-14 depending on make of pants).. .although I'm working on losing another 25lbs so hopefully that makes another 2-4 inches :)
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    People have different body types, so I can't see this always possible.
    A girl I work with has the pear/chicken shaped body. Really waste was like a size 14, but her legs were skinny and would be like some one is a size 8 pant.
    My sister also has this issue.

    I am guessing a guy wrote this rule.

    It's not a rule. It's a statistical health marker.
    The fact is this rule takes into account the different body shapes. The person you are describing is not a pear shape. Round waist, skinny legs is called "apple-shaped" and those with that shape have a higher tendency to heart disease specifically because they carry their weight around their midsection. It's exactly this fact that this rule is aimed at.

    People who are pear shaped carry the majority of their weight around their hips, thighs and buttocks. That shape is less likely to suffer from heart disease and their waists are usually smaller for their weight.

    The point is, the more fat that builds up around the major organs in the center of the body, the higher one's risk for heart disease. If that's because an apple-shaped person tends to build up fat around their middle or because a pear-shaped person is very overweight but they both have the same waist size, it results in the same risk factors as far as this rule is concerned. There are, of course, other risk factors related to genetics, diet, cholesterol levels, etc. and this is just one.
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I know they say waist, but do they mean waist (as in the natural waist) or belly? If they mean waist, I'm close. If they mean belly, not so much...

    I was wondering the same thing. My waist isn't so bad but my belly is a different story.
  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    People have different body types, so I can't see this always possible.
    A girl I work with has the pear/chicken shaped body. Really waste was like a size 14, but her legs were skinny and would be like some one is a size 8 pant.
    My sister also has this issue.

    I am guessing a guy wrote this rule.

    It's not a rule. It's a statistical health marker.
    The fact is this rule takes into account the different body shapes. The person you are describing is not a pear shape. Round waist, skinny legs is called "apple-shaped" and those with that shape have a higher tendency to heart disease specifically because they carry their weight around their midsection. It's exactly this fact that this rule is aimed at.

    People who are pear shaped carry the majority of their weight around their hips, thighs and buttocks. That shape is less likely to suffer from heart disease and their waists are usually smaller for their weight.

    The point is, the more fat that builds up around the major organs in the center of the body, the higher one's risk for heart disease. If that's because an apple-shaped person tends to build up fat around their middle or because a pear-shaped person is very overweight but they both have the same waist size, it results in the same risk factors as far as this rule is concerned. There are, of course, other risk factors related to genetics, diet, cholesterol levels, etc. and this is just one.

    Oh i have a disproportionate amount of "toxic" abdominal fat
  • Adpalangi
    Adpalangi Posts: 349 Member
    I've been having a real hard time understanding my waist measurement as it hasn't moved to much, but my weight loss has been good, 26 lbs, have no idea where the inches have come from, cause my inches all over haven't done much. But I've had to get some new jeans and dress pants, what I had was falling off, I tried a belt for awhile. Anyway this formula brings me much closer to my inches. This would put me at a 30 inch waist, which I am just under I am under at a 28. My my health program I have been using says I need a22 inch waist. I am closer to this half a height. And six inches I would need to drop to come close to that twenty some measurement. Hmm confused
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    I've been having a real hard time understanding my waist measurement as it hasn't moved to much, but my weight loss has been good, 26 lbs, have no idea where the inches have come from, cause my inches all over haven't done much. But I've had to get some new jeans and dress pants, what I had was falling off, I tried a belt for awhile. Anyway this formula brings me much closer to my inches. This would put me at a 30 inch waist, which I am just under I am under at a 28. My my health program I have been using says I need a22 inch waist. I am closer to this half a height. And six inches I would need to drop to come close to that twenty some measurement. Hmm confused

    Wow, a 22 in waist is small even for someone 5 ft tall. What program are you using?
This discussion has been closed.