Some people may need a more intensive approach. This can mean having a very low energy diet or taking weight loss medicine. The Bod Pod technology is similar to underwater weighing but uses air instead of water. You are weighed before sitting in a small ‘pod’ machine. By measuring how much air is displaced whilst in the ‘pod’, body density is measured from which body fat can be calculated. The plus side: For many people, reaching a ‘healthy’ weight is unrealistic. A weight loss of 5% (which means losing 5 kg if you currently weigh 100 kg) is more achievable. It will still result in important health improvements. Also, most women's bodies accumulate either muscle or fat in the thigh area, which can also cause a closure of any gap. The down side: Hold one side of the tape measure in front of your body, then wrap it around the narrowest part of the waist until it overlaps the starting side of the tape measure.

Always test on the same side. It is recommended to take the average of two measurements at each place. You then put those numbers into an online calculator which will give you your body fat percentage. This is a measure of your overall body mass – including bones, blood, organs and fat. For it to be accurate, you need reliable scales. According to a 2017 study, larger waist circumference increases inflammation in the body in some people. In turn, a 2015 article in Circulation indicated that inflammation is a contributing factor and increases the risk of several health conditions, including: Another easy way to find your waist measurement is to actually measure the size of the pants that fit you perfectly. To do this, measure the waistband of the pants with a cloth or plastic measuring tape. The size of the waistband is also the size of your waist. Make sure to measure it in inches and record. (Don’t merely take the labeled measurement on faith – the garment may have shrunk or stretched.) How to Measure Children’s Waist SizeWaist circumference is a good measure of fat around your middle. This type of fat builds up around your organs, and is linked to high blood fat levels, high blood pressureand diabetes. A larger waist usually also means there is excess fat inside your organs. When this happens in your liver, for example, it pumps out too much fat and sugar into the blood, increasing your risk of coronary heart diseaseand diabetes. Want to get fit and healthy? https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/risk.htm?fbclid=IwAR0qKdD7ERezlPSJbo8u-MqpJP718fdllk_qF-ItTRlWOFPNmnJiQIEQNho Although it is not possible to reduce fat in specific areas, any weight loss in people who carry excess fat can help. The NHLBI suggest that losing just 5–10% of body weight can reduce health risks in someone with overweight or obesity. may be at high risk of some health conditions at a lower waist measurement, compared to an increased risk For accurate readings you need to know where to place the measuring tape. It is only an estimate of body fat.

Waist circumference and BMI are important indicators of risk. However, many other factors also contribute to disease. Europeans. But there isn’t enough research to make specific waist measurement recommendations for these and achieve a healthy waist measurement. Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet and be active regularly. TheHold one side of the measuring tape directly in front of the body, then wrap the tape around the natural waist above the belly button until it overlaps the beginning side of the tape on the front side of the body. Waist circumference is less reliable in overweight and obese people. Waist circumference and disease risk Eating too many calories, regardless of the type of food, may cause weight gain. For those that are apple-shaped, this extra weight will accumulate on the abdomen.