About your waist measurement

Your shape can also affect your health. Extra weight around your middle increases the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. A larger waist measurement can mean too much visceral fat. This is the fat stored around internal organs like your liver and pancreas.

Visceral fat produces toxins that affect the way your body works. It makes it harder for your body to use a hormone called insulin, which controls your blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can lead to Type 2 diabetes. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

Work out if you’re at increased risk by measuring your waist. Watch the animation below to find out how – all you’ll need is a tape measure.

About your waist measurement

Your shape can also affect your health. Extra weight around your middle increases the risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. A larger waist measurement can mean too much visceral fat. This is the fat stored around internal organs like your liver and pancreas.

Visceral fat produces toxins that affect the way your body works. It makes it harder for your body to use a hormone called insulin, which controls your blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can lead to Type 2 diabetes. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

Work out if you’re at increased risk by measuring your waist. Watch the animation below to find out how – all you’ll need is a tape measure.

Step 1: Measure your waist

Step 2: Enter your details

Female

Male


Please select your gender and ethnicity, and enter your waist size before clicking Go

Step 3: See what your measurement means

Healthy
At risk
At high risk
Your suggested waist measurement: <

You're healthy

You're at risk

You're at high risk


Your waist measurement is in the healthy range. We recommend that you check your BMI too, to find out if you’re a healthy weight for your height. Your waist measurement is in the healthy range. We recommend that you check your BMI too, to find out if you’re a healthy weight for your height. Your waist measurement means that your weight could be affecting your health, and you’re at higher risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Keeping to a healthy weight and carrying less fat around your middle will help to keep your heart healthy. We recommend that you check your BMI too, to find out if you’re a healthy weight for your height. Your waist measurement means that your weight could be affecting your health, and you’re at higher risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.. Keeping to a healthy weight and carrying less fat around your middle will help to keep your heart healthy. Your waist measurement means you’re at high risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases, and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. It’s important that you take steps to lose weight. Making simple changes to your lifestyle can help.
Aim to maintain a healthy weight and waist measurement by eating well and being physically active. The minimum level of physical activity recommended for adults is 150 minutes per week, but aim to be active every day. Try out our 10 minute living room workout – no equipment needed! Aim to maintain a healthy weight and waist measurement by eating well and being physically active. The minimum level of physical activity recommended for adults is 150 minutes per week, but aim to be active every day. Try out our 10 minute living room workout – no equipment needed! Making simple changes to your lifestyle can help you lose weight and achieve a healthy waist measurement. Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet and be active regularly. The minimum level of physical activity recommended for adults is 150 minutes per week, but aim to be active every day. Try out our 10 minute living room workout – no equipment needed! Making simple changes to your lifestyle can help you lose weight and achieve a healthy waist measurement. Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet and be active regularly. The minimum level of physical activity recommended for adults is 150 minutes per week, but aim to be active every day. Try out our 10 minute living room workout – no equipment needed! Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet, reduce your portion sizes and be active regularly. The minimum level of physical activity recommended for adults is 150 minutes per week, but aim to be active every day. Try out our 10 minute living room workout – no equipment needed!
If you have any concerns about your weight or want to know more about eating healthily and being active, talk to your GP or practice nurse. If you have any concerns about your weight or want to know more about eating healthily and being active, talk to your GP or practice nurse. If you have any concerns or need support with losing weight, talk to your GP or practice nurse. They can advise you on how to eat healthily and get more active, and tell you about local services you can use to get support. If you have any concerns or need support with losing weight, talk to your GP or practice nurse. They can advise you on how to eat healthily and get more active, and tell you about local services you can use to get support. We recommend that you also check your BMI. If your BMI is over 25, see your GP or practice nurse. They can advise you on how to eat healthily and get more active, and tell you about local services you can use to get support.
Find out more on our healthy living pages, or join Heart Matters for access to our healthy recipe finder and information about healthy eating, physical activity and much more. Find out more on our healthy living pages, or join Heart Matters for access to our healthy recipe finder and information about healthy eating, physical activity and much more. Find out more about losing weight on our healthy living pages, or join Heart Matters for access to our healthy recipe finder and information about healthy eating, physical activity and much more. You can also get information and support by calling our helpline on 0300 330 3300*0300 330 3300*.

*Local call rate. Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
It’s important to remember that there are different measurements for people of different ethnicities. People of African Caribbean, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese origin may be at high risk of some health conditions at a lower waist measurement, compared to an increased risk in the white population. Find out more about losing weight on our healthy living pages. You can also get information and support by calling our helpline on 0300 330 3300*0300 330 3300*.

*Local call rate. Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call our helpline on 0300 330 3300*0300 330 3300* for information and support with losing weight. You can also find more information on our healthy living pages, or join Heart Matters for access to our healthy recipe finder and tips on healthy eating, physical activity and much more.

*Local call rate. Lines are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
It’s important to remember that there are different measurements for people of different ethnicities. People of African Caribbean, South Asian, Chinese and Japanese origin may be at increased risk of some health conditions at a lower waist measurement than the White European population. People of Black African, Middle Eastern and mixed family origin are also at risk with smaller amounts of weight gain than White Europeans. But there isn’t enough research to make specific waist measurement recommendations for these groups, so guidelines are based on the White European population. See your doctor if you need help or more information.

Please note that this tool currently operates using centimetres, as this is the most accurate measure. When a measurement is input in inches, the tool converts this into centimetres and gives a result based on that measurement.

Unlike BMI, there is no underweight category for waist measurement. Waist measurement is just used for measuring abdominal fat and the risk of developing obesity-related diseases, regardless of overall body fat. BMI uses weight and height to determine whether an adult is within the healthy weight range, underweight, overweight or obese. BMI remains the best indication of whether you are underweight, and waist measurement should not be used for this purpose.