Ask the experts: Waist circumference
Q. “I have read a lot recently about waist circumference and the dangers of having fat around the stomach area. Can you tell me why it’s dangerous, and what the recommended waist measurement/s should be?
Name not suppliedA. Kristen MacKenzie, health and nutrition consultant at Millennium Institute of Sport and Health, comments:
“Waist circumference measures ‘central adiposity’, ie. the amount of fat a person has in their stomach area (the ‘beer belly’). This is a particularly useful measurement as it is very simple and quick to take by a trained professional.
Measurements above the upper limits (see below) are considered to be ‘at risk’ for conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.”
Upper limits
- NZ European, Pacific Island and Maori men – 102cm
- NZ European, Pacific Island and Maori women – 88cm
- Asian and Indian men – 90cm
- Asian and Indian women – 80cm
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Min Saw
APD, B Nutr Diet (Hons)
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