WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE (CM)

Along with the body mass index, other parameters are used to assess obesity, the starting point of many chronic diseases and believed to be somehow associated with any disease that you suffer from. These parameters are measurement methods such as waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio. The most important criterion which assesses obesity is waist circumference, after the body mass index. If the waist circumference is above normal rates, do not be surprised by the diseases which reduce the quality of life and shortens the life span such as insulin resistance, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis, heart failure, and kidney failure.

So, how do we measure the waist circumference? What are the right measurement and values for us?

Do not be afraid, measurement is simple. For an accurate measurement, we need to join the upper side of the hip bone on the belly button with the help of a tape measure.

Reference values for waist circumference are different in each society. For example, while women with waist circumference values above 88 cm and men with waist circumference values above 102 cm are defined as obese in the United States of America, men with waist circumference values above 90 cm and women with waist circumference values above 80 cm are defined as obese in European societies. According to the latest study of the Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Turkey, the generally accepted opinion in Turkey is that men with waist circumference values above 100 cm and women with waist circumference values above 90 cm are defined as obese. Also, it is very important, men with waist circumference values above 90 cm and women with waist circumference values above 80 cm are defined as overweight.

After all this scientific information, I think you will have an idea about whether you are overweight or obese. After you measure your body mass index and waist circumference, you will know how much weight you need to lose in order to reach normal values (BMI: 18.5-25, waist circumference: 90 or below in men, 80 or below in women)