Normal Waist Size--What Is the Ideal
Waist Size for a Woman or Man
Last Updated July 8, 2010, (November 12, 2008, date published)
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By Susan Callahan,
Health Editor and Featured Columnist




What is the ideal waist size?  As you might expect, recommendations vary.

Under the guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation, a normal
waist line for a woman is 32 inches or less, and for a man is 38 inches or
less.

Many doctors are even more stringent, recommending a target of 30 inches
or less for a woman and 35 for a man.

Normal Waist Size for a Woman

To measure your waist, stand in front of a mirror with your feet apart.  
Wrap the tape around your waist just about an inch above your belly button.

Here is a chart of the range of waist sizes that are considered healthy for a
woman of different heights.  The column titled Waist-to-Height Ratio is a
way to tell if you are considered overweight or at an unhealthy waist line.  

How to Reduce Your Waist

the best way to reduce your waist size if first to get as close as you can to
your ideal body weight. In addition to that, Research studies have found
that certain foods can help you to reduce fat around your abdomen,
particularly foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as halibut and salmon.  
For your quick reference, we have assembled a complete list of
foods that
shrink your waist.


Ideal Waist Size for Women of Different Heights (Chart for
Men Below)





















How does your Waist-to-Height Ratio Compare with Others?  Here are
some ratios for you to use as a comparison: (Article Continues Below)

Subjects                                                         Waist-to-Height Ratio  
Barbie Doll                                                             25.0%  
Ken Doll                                                                 36.0%
Female College Swimmers                                   42.4%
Male College Swimmers                                        42.8%

World Health Organization
Cut-off for Increased Risk Females                       49.2%
General Healthy Cutoff                                           50.0%

WHO Increased Risk Males                                    53.6%
WHO Substantially Increased
Risk Females                                                            54.1%

WHO Substantially Increased
Risk Males                                                               58.2%


Here are the Cut-Offs for Waist-to-Height Rations to Watch, according to
the World Health Organization:

Increased Risk                         Substantially
     Increased Risk
Waist (WHtR)                         Waist (WHtR)
Men 37.0" (53.6%)                 40.2" (58.3%)
Women 31.5" (49.2%)           34.6" (54.1%)


Normal Waist Size for a Man

Ideal Waist Size for Men of Different Heights (Women
Should Use the Chart Above. Men May Want to Bookmark
this Chart)























Studies have found that people who spend 10 minutes a day
focusing on their health tend to be healthier and live longer.    

Learn more tips that will help you to maintain your ideal weight
and waist size:  
What Is Your Ideal Weight ? / What to Eat for
Breakfast to Lose Weight and Stay Healthy / Foods That Help to
Shrink Your Waist -New Research

More Related Links
Why Your Waist Size Matters
How Blueberries Help to Reduce Belly Fat
Losing Your Belly Fat After the Baby
Normal Fasting Blood Sugar
Foods That Keep Your Blood Sugar Steady
Height
5 feet
and inches below
Ideal
Waist
Line
Waist-t
o-Heigh
t
 (%)
Healthy
Range/Unhe
althy Range
5 feet 1 inch
24
inches
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 2-3 inches
24 to
25
inches
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 3 or 4 inches
25 to
25.3
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 5 inches
25 to
25.5
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 6 inches
27.5
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 7 inches
27.75
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 8 inches
26.8
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 9 or 10 inches
27.3
39.5
up to 48%
5 feet 11 or 6 feet
28
39.5
up to 48%
Height

5 feet and inches
below
Ideal Waist Line
Waist-to-Height
Ratio (%)
Healthy Target
5 feet 5-6 inches
28.5
46%
up to 50%
5 feet 7 inches
31
46
up to 50%
5 feet 8 inches
31.2
46
up to 50%
5 feet 9 inches
31.7
46
up to 50%
5 feet 10 inches
32
46
up to 50%
5 feet 11 inches
32.6
46
up to 50%
6 feet
33.1
46
up to 50%
6 feet 2 inches
34
46
up to 50%
6 feet  4 inches
35
46
up to 50%

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