Guidance from the health body NICE recommends an adult's waist should be less than half their height to reduce health risks, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
"Explain to people that to measure their waist, they should find the bottom of their ribs and the top of their hips, wrap a tape measure around the waist midway between these points and breathe out naturally before taking the measurement," sayIf you're 175cm tall, for example, then your waist measurement should be less than 87.5cm - or half your height.
But waist circumference measurements are not accurate in people with a BMI over 35, pregnant women or children under two.The latest estimates for England suggest that 28% of adults are obese and a further 36% are overweight - a problem that is costing the NHS more than £6bn. Other experts say measuring the waistline doesn't work for people who are very short or older people over 60 who may have lost height with ageing.
"Waist-to-height ratio is a simple, easy-to-use measure that identifies people who are at increased health risk and would benefit from weight management support to improve their health."In the guidance, GPs and nurses are advised to ask someone's permission before talking about their weight, and also to "discuss it in a sensitive manner".
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