Healthy waist size for Indians
For Indian adults, belly-fat risk starts at a waist of 90 cm (35.4 in) for men and 80 cm (31.5 in) for women. A simple check that works at any height: keep your waist under half your height (waist-to-height ratio below 0.5).
Cutoffs
| Indian cutoff | WHO increased risk | WHO substantially increased | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 90 cm (35.4 in) | over 94 cm | over 102 cm |
| Women | 80 cm (31.5 in) | over 80 cm | over 88 cm |
Example: a man with a 92 cm waist at 170 cm is over the Indian cutoff, WHO risk "Not increased", waist-to-height 0.54 (Increased). A woman with an 82 cm waist at 160 cm: over the Indian cutoff, WHO "Increased", ratio 0.51 (Increased).
Waist target by height (waist-to-height 0.5)
| Height | cm | Keep waist |
|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 147.3 | under 74 cm (29 in) |
| 4'11" | 149.9 | under 75 cm (29.5 in) |
| 5'0" | 152.4 | under 76 cm (30 in) |
| 5'1" | 154.9 | under 77 cm (30.5 in) |
| 5'2" | 157.5 | under 79 cm (31 in) |
| 5'3" | 160 | under 80 cm (31.5 in) |
| 5'4" | 162.6 | under 81 cm (32 in) |
| 5'5" | 165.1 | under 83 cm (32.5 in) |
| 5'6" | 167.6 | under 84 cm (33 in) |
| 5'7" | 170.2 | under 85 cm (33.5 in) |
| 5'8" | 172.7 | under 86 cm (34 in) |
| 5'9" | 175.3 | under 88 cm (34.5 in) |
| 5'10" | 177.8 | under 89 cm (35 in) |
| 5'11" | 180.3 | under 90 cm (35.5 in) |
| 6'0" | 182.9 | under 91 cm (36 in) |
| 6'1" | 185.4 | under 93 cm (36.5 in) |
| 6'2" | 188 | under 94 cm (37 in) |
| 6'3" | 190.5 | under 95 cm (37.5 in) |
| 6'4" | 193 | under 97 cm (38 in) |
How to measure
Stand, breathe out normally, and measure around your middle midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hip bone, tape level and snug.
Method and sources
Indian cutoffs 90/80 cm: Misra A et al., JAPI 2009;57:163-170, and the IDF South Asian criteria. WHO cutoffs 94/102 (men) and 80/88 (women): WHO Expert Consultation on waist circumference, 2008. Waist-to-height 0.5: NICE obesity guidance (2022 update) and Ashwell M et al., Obes Rev 2012.
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Common questions
What is a normal waist size for Indian men?
Below 90 cm (about 35.4 inches). At 90 cm or more, Indian men have higher risk of diabetes and heart disease.
What is a healthy waist size for Indian women?
Below 80 cm (about 31.5 inches).