While waist size is an indicator for potential hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease, the standards for Asians is stricter stricter than for non-Asians. This is similar to the situation with Asians and Body Mass Index (BMI), where standards for a healthy BMI are stricter for Asians. The Mayo clinic lists the following as problematic waist sizes:
Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters, or cm).
Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89 cm).
Asian men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 36 inches (91 cm).
Asian women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 32 inches (81 cm).
Limited data seems to indicate that these numbers are low for Pacific Islanders and African Americans. Waist measurements are said to be better indicators than weight or (BMI) for potential heart disease and death for people of normal weight.
(Flickr Photo Credit: TinkerTailor)
