According to the World Health Organisation and the National Institutes of Health in the USA, a high waist circumference (WC) ( greater than 95 cm for men and greater than 85 cm for women) is associated with an increased risk of type II diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease when the BMI is between 25 and 34.9. A BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and a BMI greater than 30 is considered obese.
Waist circumference can be useful for those people categorised as normal or overweight in terms of BMI. For example, an athlete with increased muscle mass may have a BMI greater than 25, making him/her overweight on the BMI scale. However, a waist circumference measurement would most likely indicate that he/she is, in fact, not overweight.
Changes in waist circumference over time can indicated an increase or decrease in abdominal fat. Increased abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
To determine your waist circumference, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape around your abdomen, ensuring that the tape measure is horizontal. The tape measure should be snug but should not cause compression on the skin.
Take a look at the overall health risks on the Obesity Class Table.
|
BMI |
Rating |
Waist Size |
|
</= to 95” (Men)
or
</= 85” (Women) |
>/= to 95” (Men)
or
>/= 85” (Women) |
|
18.5 or Less |
Underweight |
N/A |
N/A |
|
18.5-24.9 |
Normal Weight |
N/A |
N/A |
|
25.0-25.9 |
Overweight |
Increased |
High |
|
30.0-34.9 |
Obese |
High |
Very High |
|
35.0-39.9 |
Obese |
Very High |
Very High |
|
40 or Greater |
Extremely Obese |
Extremely High |
Extremely High |
Underweight: BMI is equal to, or less than, 18.5
A lean BMI can indicate that your weight may be too low. You should consult your physician to determine if you should gain weight, as low body mass can decrease your body's immune system, which could lead to illness.
Normal: BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9
People whose BMI is within 18.5 and 24.9 possess the ideal amount of body weight associated with longevity, the lowest incidences of serious illness and physical attractiveness compared with people whose BMI is in the higher or lower ranges.
Overweight: BMI is between 25 and 29.9
People falling in this BMI range are considered overweight and would benefit from finding healthy ways to lower their weight, such as diet and exercise. Individuals who fall in this range are at increased risk for a variety of illnesses.
Obese: BMI is over 30
Individuals with a BMI over 30 are in a physically unhealthy condition, which puts them at risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, gall bladder disease and some cancers. These people would benefit greatly by modifying their lifestyle.
Source: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator/apple-body-shape.php