How do you measure abdomen

However, the authors did not detail how the methodological process of this anthropometric measurement was performed, making it impossible to conclude whether the same criteria proposed by the WHO, 5 5 World Health Organization.

Other relevant points are the evaluation criteria proposed by different authors, which were assessed in another study. Comparisons of waist circumferences measured at 4 sites. Am J Clin Nutr.

Were there differences in these anthropometric assessments? In the face of this impasse, Wang et al. These 14 sites were separated into groups, aiming to identify possible differences after applying the statistical treatment. The groups were divided as follows: 1 immediately below the last rib; 2 at the smallest circumference point; 3 at midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest; and, 4 immediately above the iliac crest. This result was perhaps expected by the authors and confirms the importance of standardization of the measurement site, in the case of female patients.

Considering this context, it is essential to reflect on and consider whether the current nomenclature to assess cardiovascular risk does not cause methodological confusion for the different health professionals, impairing the accuracy of future studies, to the detriment of imprecision during the measurement. The measurement standardization that technically evaluates the risk of cardiovascular disease is necessary, both in relation to the methodological process of measurement, and the nomenclature use.

Otherwise, given the current scenario, individuals who would theoretically have moderate risk or low risk for cardiovascular disease could have overestimated results. Figure 1 represents both genders and their respective measurements for waist circumference. The measurement was carried out at midpoint between the border of the iliac crest and the last rib, the same protocol proposed by the WHO, 5 5 World Health Organization.

Figure 1 Midpoint between the last rib and the iliac crest border in both genders. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products.

List of Partners vendors. Waist circumference is the measurement taken around the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus belly button. Health experts commonly use waist measurement to screen patients for possible weight-related health problems. While a helpful tool, waist size is just one indicator that may point to certain health conditions, and it is not used to singularly diagnose any conditions or diseases.

While health experts and physicians may use this method in-office, you can also measure your own waist circumference at home. Measuring the size of your waist can help you understand your risk for certain weight-related health conditions. Waist circumference alone cannot indicate that you have a medical condition or that you'll develop one in the future, but it can help you and your healthcare provider to determine where fat is located on your body and if that body fat may cause health problems for you in the future.

According to the National Institutes of Health NIH , if more fat is located around your waist rather than around your hips, you are at higher risk for conditions including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

You can use your waist measurement to calculate your waist-hip ratio WHR , which provides another screening tool for weight-related disease risk. Your healthcare provider may also use a body mass index BMI measurement as a health indicator. However, a study concluded that both hip-adjusted waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were stronger indicators of health and potential health conditions than BMI. To measure waist circumference correctly, you should use a flexible tape measure that is not elastic i.

You should also remove any bulky clothing that can add padding around your abdomen. Follow these steps to measure your waist:. Take the measurement three times to make sure you get a consistent result.

Holding the tape too tight so that it digs into your flesh or holding it too loosely so that it droops will cause you to get an incorrect result. To find out how your waist circumference measures up, use this chart to see if your waist measurement indicates that you are at an increased risk for disease.

Individual circumstances may vary, so seek the advice of a doctor to determine next steps. If your waist measurement is greater than the numbers indicated below, your risk for weight-related health problems may be increased. For Asians, the waist circumference recommendation may need to be lower.

A study done on chinese men and chinese women found that increased insulin resistance is observed when waist circumferences are greater than 29 inches for women and If your waist circumference is in the high-risk range according to the table above, working with your doctor and a registered dietitian to lose body fat and reduce the fat in your midsection can improve your health and well-being.

To get started, consider the following daily habits. Wrap a flexible, plastic or fabric measuring tape around your waist so it's parallel to the floor. Start and end at the front of you abdomen, right above your bellybutton. Avoid tightening the tape too much -- it should be snug, but not digging into your skin. Read the tape measure after exhaling, and write down your waist circumference in inches for future reference.

Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites.

Caines holds a degree in journalism from Mercurius College in Holland and is writing her first novel. How to Measure Your Pectoral Muscles.