Is waist size largely genetics?
Replies
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bold_rabbit wrote: »I think there is probably a genetic component. Even when a healthy BMI, my spouse (male) has a waist around 34". I, however, have always had a proportionally small waist for my weight (whether normal BMI or overweight or obese). On the other hand, my cankles are huge even when I'm slim.
Same for me I have a 34" waist and i'm pretty lean, at least people around me say so.1 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I think the OP telegraphed the answer. No, your waist size doesn't matter a whit to a weasel-- at least not to anyone else. What matters is who you are and what you do.
Hah, that got me 3 Disagrees (and counting). Awesome!
My evidence is:
1) No one cares what George Washington's waist size was.
2) Your waist size, by itself, is not particularly comparable to any one else's. Thus it is not a very useful health metric. In comparison, BMI is at least a ratio. (I think this is the point of the discussion.)5 -
wunderkindking wrote: »I am short waisted as heck, and the top of my pelvic bones and the bottom of my ribcage are precisely, exactly, in line - and also 2" (not hyperbole) apart.
There is no body fat percentage where I'm going to have a well defined waist. An inward dip from the front, yes, gotten that, from the side? No. Where would it even BE?
Hello my secret twin!4 -
Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »Jthanmyfitnesspal wrote: »I think the OP telegraphed the answer. No, your waist size doesn't matter a whit to a weasel-- at least not to anyone else. What matters is who you are and what you do.
Hah, that got me 3 Disagrees (and counting). Awesome!
My evidence is:
1) No one cares what George Washington's waist size was.
2) Your waist size, by itself, is not particularly comparable to any one else's. Thus it is not a very useful health metric. In comparison, BMI is at least a ratio. (I think this is the point of the discussion.)
Actually the waist to height measurement is often considered better than BMI as a screening tool.
Also waist sizes above a certain measurement indicate increased risk for thing nobody wants.
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/why-is-my-waist-size-important/
Why is my waist size important?
Regardless of your height or body mass index (BMI), you should try to lose weight if your waist is:
94cm (37in) or more for men
80cm (31.5in) or more for women
You're at very high risk of some serious health conditions and should see a GP if your waist is:
102cm (40in) or more for men
88cm (34.5in) or more for women
This is because your risk of getting some health problems is affected by where you store your body fat, as well as by your weight.
Carrying too much fat around your middle (waist) can make it more likely for you to get conditions such as:
heart disease
type 2 diabetes
cancer
stroke7 -
32" waist doesn't seem big to me. I'm 5'10" and I was 32" waist in the military and had abs. At my usual maintenance weight I wear a loose 34...32 is a bit tight. At my usual maintenance weight I have no love handles and only a small pooch in the lower abdomen and top 4 abs are visible in the right light. I'm a little fluffy at the moment and need to drop about 10 Lbs to get back to where I'm most comfortable...and I have zero desire to be sub 10% BF. 12-15% is perfectly fine and healthy.4
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The thing listed above is an oversimplification.
It's actually waist to hips RATIO: https://www.healthline.com/health/waist-to-hip-ratio that determines a health risk.1 -
Some people care about waist size—the requirements for guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier.
6 -
Yes. Even when I was underweight my waist was 27. I have a best friend who even though she is 20-40lbs heavier than me always has a 21-25 inch waist.3
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corinasue1143 wrote: »
Some people care about waist size—the requirements for guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier.
I don't know what this is, but a 30 inch waist at 6'2 is highly unusual
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wunderkindking wrote: »The thing listed above is an oversimplification.
It's actually waist to hips RATIO: https://www.healthline.com/health/waist-to-hip-ratio that determines a health risk.
I know this works well for most people but it doesn't work well for people with narrow hips and wide rib cage like me. It always has told me I am super high risk even though I am at the bottom of a healthy weight for my height.6 -
Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »wunderkindking wrote: »The thing listed above is an oversimplification.
It's actually waist to hips RATIO: https://www.healthline.com/health/waist-to-hip-ratio that determines a health risk.
I know this works well for most people but it doesn't work well for people with narrow hips and wide rib cage like me. It always has told me I am super high risk even though I am at the bottom of a healthy weight for my height.
Yeah, I am one of those people. I'm built like a telephone pole - straight up and down, just with boobs. My pelvic bones and ribs are precisely in line. That said when I gain I gain mostly directly in my stomach so my stomach ends up much bigger than my hips, anyway. ...granted that was when I was obese.3 -
Lol, bro you're speaking of being at competition bodyfat percentages for AVERAGE PEOPLE. And realistically how many people stay 6%-7% bodyfat all year around?sandboxfitness wrote: »sandboxfitness wrote: »You’d be surprised when you lose all the fat around your waist; how much small it is
The lowest ive ever got my waist was 31 inches and I was borderline underweight. Thats why im wondering if some people are just born with a bigger waist.
Being under weight doesn’t mean you have low fat percentage. When you get to 6-7% body fat then evaluate your waist line
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6 -
corinasue1143 wrote: »
Some people care about waist size—the requirements for guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier.
This is not accurate. These are the actual physical qualifications: "Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall for men or 5 feet, 8 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches tall for women, with a proportionate weight and build."
Some other stuff in that is untrue, like the stuff about never being able to drink again in your life, even off duty (that is what first inspired me to check it out).
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-tomb-unknown-soldier/fact-check-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-sentinels-must-observe-rigorous-protocols-but-can-still-drink-alcohol-off-duty-swear-in-public-idUSKBN2322DK3 -
janejellyroll wrote: »corinasue1143 wrote: »
Some people care about waist size—the requirements for guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier.
This is not accurate. These are the actual physical qualifications: "Each soldier must be in superb physical condition, possess an unblemished military record and be between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet, 4 inches tall for men or 5 feet, 8 inches and 6 feet, 2 inches tall for women, with a proportionate weight and build."
Some other stuff in that is untrue, like the stuff about never being able to drink again in your life, even off duty (that is what first inspired me to check it out).
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-tomb-unknown-soldier/fact-check-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-sentinels-must-observe-rigorous-protocols-but-can-still-drink-alcohol-off-duty-swear-in-public-idUSKBN2322DK
True...
And also, members of the 3rd Infantry Unit are considered "elite"...members of the 3rd Infantry Unit who are chosen to be sentinels at the Tomb are considered to be the elite of the elite.
Same for DC Marine Barracks 8th&I who perform both ceremonial as well as security duties at the WH and the Capitol...and qualifications differ based on unit. For example, the qualifications for a body bearer are much different from being on the drill unit...a body bearer must be able to complete 10 reps of 225 Lbs bench, OH press 135 Lbs, Squat 315 Lbs, and curl 115 Lbs. On top of that be male with a rank of corporal or less (so typically pretty young) and similar height and proportionate weight and build qualifications as mentioned for Tomb sentinels, among other qualifications. There are only about 12 of body bearers in the entire Marine Corps, so competition is stiff and it takes about 1 year of training before they are actually selected to participate in military funerals.
At any rate, none of these individuals are average in any way. The notion that you have to be "elite" to be healthy and fit is a bit absurd.7 -
There are definitely things to do with bone structure and overall body shape which are genetic. But sometimes people put weight down to genes when actually it's more to do with lifestyle... they will say "I'm fat because my parents are fat" but actually their parents have passed on certain lifestyle habits to them if you see what I mean?5
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Yes and no. One's frame does matter to a point. How wide one's hip structure and rib cage has an effect. And where one stores fat mostly around the midsection as well. But in most cases, if one gets their body fat percentage down lower than normal, it's possible to have a much smaller waist.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition 3 -
Yes and no. One's frame does matter to a point. How wide one's hip structure and rib cage has an effect. And where one stores fat mostly around the midsection as well. But in most cases, if one gets their body fat percentage down lower than normal, it's possible to have a much smaller waist.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
This is basically it, actually.
I do not have an hour glass figure. I do not have a narrower waist than hips. BUT MY WAIST SIZE at 147 is a lot smaller than my waist size was at 190. It's just that in proportion to the rest of me it is about the same and I don't anticipate that changing.2
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