Healthy waist size - how do you measure up?

BerryH
BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Nuffield Health has issued the results of a study in which it measured British people's waist sizes and compared them to what is considered a healthy waist size. There's an infographic here:
http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/sites/default/files/inline/Nuffield-Health-infographic-large.pdf

It found the average British woman has a waist size of 84.9cm (33.4") compared to a healthy size of 80cm (31.5").

The average man has a waist size of 92.7cm (33.4") compared to a healthy size of 94cm (37") - yes, the average man has a waist size less than the healthy measurement!

Given the higher levels of obesity in men, I wonder if this was self-reported and all the men hoiked the tape measure up under their bellies...?

Waist size is considered a better measure of health than weight or BMI as it is a good indicator of an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, infertility and cancer.

Where do you measure up? Although I have lost a lot of belly, at 34" I'm above average and way over healthy. It's one of my goals to get down to a 31" waist.
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Replies

  • poledancing_ninja
    poledancing_ninja Posts: 271 Member
    My waist is a 25" but I can squidge it down to 20" in a corset (6 years of corset wearing lol) but I am only 5ft 2
  • MrsSWW
    MrsSWW Posts: 1,585 Member
    My very accurate measurement (taken with BlackBerry charger and B&Q tape measure) was 32 inches/81 cm. Quite pleased with that. :flowerforyou:
  • IveLanded
    IveLanded Posts: 797 Member
    I just hit 31 inches recently. Interesting to know. :)
  • sarah692
    sarah692 Posts: 136 Member
    Huh, mine's 30 and I feel like I could lose 2-3 more inches from it. Surprised to hear that that's smaller than what's considered healthy.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I'm *almost* healthy for a man LOL.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Oh, and I bet men gave their pant size rather than measure. 33.4 is awfully close to a standard 34" pant.
  • jealous_loser
    jealous_loser Posts: 395
    Where are we measuring for waist? Narrowest part or just up from belly button?

    My narrowest part is 30", but I think I can go smaller...
  • heatherina1983
    heatherina1983 Posts: 35
    I am pretty much spot on although I feel I still have a couple of inches to lose. Surely it depends, I have quite a small frame I would say so I don't think losing a couple of inches would make me unhealthy.
  • kfitzpa
    kfitzpa Posts: 326
    my waist is around 26" the last time I measured.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    Mine is 27.5". I'm quite happy with that...
  • Merithyn
    Merithyn Posts: 284 Member
    I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might have to kill myself if I say it openly and in public.

    Damn menopause! Damn it to the depths of hell!
  • lauralind5
    lauralind5 Posts: 133 Member
    I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might have to kill myself if I say it openly and in public.

    Damn menopause! Damn it to the depths of hell!

    I FEEL YOUR PAIN !!!
  • qtiekiki
    qtiekiki Posts: 1,490 Member
    26"... I am good.
  • PandaCustard
    PandaCustard Posts: 204 Member
    I guess I'm built weird. I have a lot of weight to lose still, but my waist is 29". Most of my weight is in my hips, thighs, and butt.
  • FitCurves444
    FitCurves444 Posts: 169 Member
    Currently at 28.... working on a 26 inch waist.....
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    31", down from 37" when I started this. I want to get down 2-3 more inches though.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    Would love mine to be 25" but at 26"....I'm pretty satisfied.
  • grrrlface
    grrrlface Posts: 1,204 Member
    Mine's 30 , looking to lose another 2 inch at least. Surprised it's a healthy measurement actually. Lol
  • LosingFat4Gd
    LosingFat4Gd Posts: 18
    32.5" - Ive lost 2 inches since starting MPF 2 & half months ago.
    Really want to get it down to 31". My belly is where all my weight goes - Im an apple shape.
    Its horrible - I wear clothes to hide it & when I sit down I out a cushion over it. I know its the worst place to carry weight in terms of health.
  • Exquizyt
    Exquizyt Posts: 33
    My waist is 28.5 :smile: . I just started Insanity too, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed my measurements will go down a little more :happy:
  • skoshness
    skoshness Posts: 175
    I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might have to kill myself if I say it openly and in public.

    Damn menopause! Damn it to the depths of hell!

    I FEEL YOUR PAIN !!!

    me too :sad:
  • JupitersGhost
    JupitersGhost Posts: 64 Member
    My waist is anywhere between 27"-28", though my goal is 24"-25".

    I found this online. It was posted in 2004 but I found it quite interesting in regards to this debate. It compares the body measurements of women in the 1950's to women in 2004.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3616904.stm
    A long-term survey, using high-tech 3-D scanners which mapped the body shapes of more than 11,000 Britons has revealed that the average woman is now taller by about two inches and has slightly larger hip and bust measurements.

    But it is in the waist where the real difference - of almost seven inches - shows.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    87cm or 34 1/4 inches.
  • colpol1
    colpol1 Posts: 59 Member
    My waist is 29 which I dont have a problem with :)
  • Behavior_Modification
    Behavior_Modification Posts: 24,482 Member
    Mine is currently 42" - but considering it was once 10+ inches larger, I'm not upset one bit. I'll get closer and closer to that healthy waist.
  • KatKatatrophic
    KatKatatrophic Posts: 448 Member
    I have a 22'' and I would like 20'' I have SUCH a small frame, that this 22'' is not so big, but I know I would look better at 20'', because I've been there and then gained 2 more inches D:
  • ChrisMayhew87
    ChrisMayhew87 Posts: 41 Member
    I'm currently at 41.5 inch waist so another 4.5 inch and i'll have a healthy waist? I doubt it, I reckon i'll still have a belly at 37 inches. lol
  • cmochoa11
    cmochoa11 Posts: 1
    My waist is 25' but i would love for it to be 24:)
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I remember having a 24" waist :cry:
  • Nordichorseman
    Nordichorseman Posts: 12 Member
    I read an article that your waist size (circumference) should be half of your vertical height. Also believe that this works for children as well. Makes sense considering everyone is built different....which is reflected in this string of posts.
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