Page 16 - South Asia BioBank Sample Health Report

WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE 94.5cm AT RISK

WHAT IS MEANT BY WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE?
This is not your trouser size but rather your measurement midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your
hips – near your belly button for most people. When measuring your waist circumference, you are actually measuring
visceral fat.

DOES WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE MATTER?
A larger waist measurement is often a sign if you have too much visceral fat. This type of fat builds up around 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 disease and diabetes. You can have a healthy BMI and still have excess fat around your
middle – meaning you’re still at risk of developing these diseases. You can reduce visceral fat by eating healthily and
being physically active. A lean belly leads to a healthier life.
IDEALLY BELOW
35.4” / 90CM
WHAT SHOULD MY WAIST MEASUREMENT BE?
For South Asian men;

Low risk: below 90cm (35.4in)
High risk: above 90cm

For South Asian Women;
Low risk: below 80cm (31.5in)
High risk: above 80cm

IDEALLY BELOW
31.5” / 80CM