Contents of publications may be freely reproduced, with an appropriate citation, for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. For permission to use publications for other purposes, contact pubs nmsu. NMSU and the U. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Thigh —Just below crotch, around leg. Knee —Measure around knee with knee slightly flexed. Calf —Measure widest part below knee.
Side length to knee —Measure from the waist to the knee. Side length —Measure from the waist to desired length. Crotch a. BMI does not distinguish between weight carried as fat or muscle or the distribution of fat on the body.
For example, athletes may have a high BMI but may not be at higher risk of certain health conditions. Older adults may have a lower BMI due to low muscle mass, yet they may be at higher risk of heart disease and other illnesses. Having a larger waistline indicates that a person has excess abdominal fat.
Abdominal fat of the visceral fat type is different from fat that accumulates on the thighs, as visceral fat is located inside your abdominal cavity.
When fat cells in visceral fat break down, they release free fatty acids and other substances into the portal vein. The portal vein brings blood from the intestines to the liver. These substances cause a state of toxicity that affects the pancreas and reduces its ability to produce the hormone insulin.
Insulin is needed for cells to be able to take up glucose in the body. A study in concluded that waist circumference and WHtR are better predictors of the risk of type 2 diabetes than BMI in both sexes, but particularly for women. The American Heart Association suggest that waistline size especially in relation to hip size predicts heart attacks better than BMI.
This is especially true for apple-shaped women, who face a higher heart attack risk than apple-shaped men. A population-based cohort study notes that waist circumference is an important predictor of several types of cancers in men, including colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal cancer. A study in Stroke notes that indicators of abdominal fat distribution, especially WHtR, have a greater association with stroke risk in both men and women than BMI.
A review of studies reported that people with a larger waistline might have a shorter life expectancy than people with a normal-sized waist. The researchers accounted for other factors, such as age, use of tobacco, and alcohol, and found that they did not significantly influence the results.
According to a study , larger waist circumference increases inflammation in the body in some people. In turn, a article in Circulation indicated that inflammation is a contributing factor and increases the risk of several health conditions, including:.
A meta-analysis indicated that genes play a role in determining body-fat distribution, in particular waist-to-hip ratio. Consequently, some individuals are, therefore, more likely to store fat around their middle than on their thighs. While individuals may not be able to change their basic body shape, it is still possible to reduce the amount of fat stored on the waistline.
According to Harvard Health , visceral abdominal fat is less common among those in Mediterranean countries. Black men and white women typically have less visceral abdominal fat than white men and black women. Sedentary people tend to have more abdominal fat than those who are more active throughout the day.
Waistline size is also linked to metabolic syndrome , high blood pressure , and high cholesterol , all of which may lead to heart disease. A study revealed that waist circumference is a better predictor of type 2 diabetes risk than BMI, particularly for women. The incidence of type 2 diabetes increases with age. Other risk factors include:. One study showed that men with abdominal adiposity large waist and waist-to-hip ratio carried the highest risk of having a stroke in their lifetime.
A high BMI increased stroke incidence in both men and women. Inflammation in the body may contribute to conditions like:.
A study showed that people with larger waist circumferences had higher levels of chronic inflammation. A review of studies showed that people with larger waistlines may have a shorter life expectancy. In fact, men measuring 43 inches cm or higher had a 50 percent greater risk of death than those measuring 37 inches 94 cm around.
For women, the risk of death was some 80 percent higher with a waist measuring 37 inches 94 cm compared to those measuring These results did not appear to be influenced by other factors, like age, body mass index, smoking and alcohol use, or exercise habits. Belly fat is made up of both subcutaneous fat a layer of padding under the skin and visceral fat. The latter is deeper in the abdomen and surrounds your internal organs. When visceral fat builds, it coats the heart, kidneys, digestive system, liver, and pancreas, impacting their ability to function properly.
People come in all different shapes and sizes. The same goes for waist shapes. One study on twins suggests that waistline is influenced by genetics. This means that, while you can lose weight and affect the amount of fat stored on and around your waist, you may not be able to change your body shape or proportions.
While you cannot spot treat fat on any specific area of your body, the fat stored around your waist and the distribution of your weight may be influenced by your diet and exercise habits. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight may help decrease your health risks. If you have any concerns about your waistline and health, talk to your doctor.
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