Keeping waist measurement to less than half your height ‘good for your health’, new guidance says
People should ensure their waist measurement is less than half their height to keep health problems at bay, an NHS watchdog has said.
According to new guidelines drafted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), adults with a body mass index (BMI) below 35 should measure their own waist-to-height ratio.
A BMI of 18 to 25 is considered a healthy weight, 25 to 30 is overweight, and over 30 is obese.
Nice said that by using a waist-to-height ratio, together with BMI, people can work out whether they are carrying excess fat around their middle, which is known to push up the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.
Anyone looking to find out their waist-to-height ratio can use an online calculator or should ask a healthcare professional to work it out for them.
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