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    Healthy waist size - how do you measure up?

    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

    • Posts: 271
      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
    • 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:
    • Posts: 797 Member
      I just hit 31 inches recently. Interesting to know. :)
    • 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.
    • Posts: 3,265 Member
      I'm *almost* healthy for a man LOL.
    • 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.
    • 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...
    • 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.
    • Posts: 326
      my waist is around 26" the last time I measured.
    • Posts: 1,923 Member
      Mine is 27.5". I'm quite happy with that...
    • 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!
    • 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 !!!
    • Posts: 1,490 Member
      26"... I am good.
    • 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.
    • Posts: 169 Member
      Currently at 28.... working on a 26 inch waist.....
    • Posts: 2,549 Member
      31", down from 37" when I started this. I want to get down 2-3 more inches though.
    • Posts: 955 Member
      Would love mine to be 25" but at 26"....I'm pretty satisfied.
    • Posts: 1,204 Member
      Mine's 30 , looking to lose another 2 inch at least. Surprised it's a healthy measurement actually. Lol
    • 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.
    • 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:
    • Posts: 175
      show previous quotes

      I FEEL YOUR PAIN !!!

      me too :sad:
    • 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.
    • Posts: 840 Member
      87cm or 34 1/4 inches.
    • Posts: 59 Member
      My waist is 29 which I dont have a problem with :)
    • 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.
    • 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:
    • 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
    • Posts: 1
      My waist is 25' but i would love for it to be 24:)
    • Posts: 4,698 Member
      I remember having a 24" waist :cry:
    • 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.
    This discussion has been closed.

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