Waistline where is it

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. Belly fat is the most harmful fat in your body, linked to many diseases. Here are 6 simple ways to lose belly fat that are supported by science. Researchers say your genes can determine where you store belly fat, and that can have health consequences. Trimming your waistline requires patience and some discipline.

The best approach is to target body fat overall instead of concentrating only on your…. New research has found that a vegetarian diet can be cheaper than other diets, when ordering food online. Many people store fat in the belly, and losing fat from this area can be hard. Our Expert Agrees: When you're measuring your waist, look for the smallest part of your waist, which is usually a little higher up than most people think. It's usually a little bit above your navel.

If you want to measure your hips as well, it's the opposite—you want to measure where your hips and glutes are the widest.

To find your waist measurement, first raise or remove your shirt, then stand up straight and exhale your breath. While in this position, hold the end of a tape measure to your navel and wrap it around the narrowest section of your waist.

Make sure the tape measure is snug and parallel to the ground. For tips from our reviewer on reading the tape measure, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Remove or raise clothing. To get an accurate measurement, you need to ensure that the tape measure is resting against your bare stomach, so you should remove any layers of clothing blocking your waist.

Remove your shirt or lift it to just below your chest. If your pants are in the way, undo them and pull them down around your hips. Find your waist. Use your fingers to find the top of your hips and the base of your rib cage. Your waist is the soft, fleshy section between these two bony parts. Wrap the measuring tape around your waist. Stand up straight and breathe normally. Hold the end of the tape measure at your navel and circle it around your back to the front of your waist.

The measuring tape should be parallel to the floor and fit snugly around your torso without digging into your skin. Read the tape. Exhale and then check the measurement on the tape. Double-check your measurement. Repeat the measurement once more to ensure the accuracy of your original measurement. If it is different from the first time, measure for a third time and take the average of the three numbers.

Method 2. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Measuring Your Waist. Top of the page.