Increased abdominal girth is the outwardly visible sign of excessive internal abdominal fat. Therefore, abdominal circumference measurement is considered a simple method to detect excessive internal abdominal fat. Up to 75 percent of this fat can be determined in this way. So, unlike BMI, abdominal circumference measurement provides insight into fat distribution and associated health risks.
When regular abdominal fat measurement is necessary
In its guidelines, the German Obesity Society recommends regular abdominal circumference measurement even at a BMI of more than 25. Abdominal circumference measurement should become standard for determining internal abdominal fat in physicians’ offices, but it can also be performed by anyone.
Measure abdominal circumference
We explain below how to properly measure your abdominal circumference yourself:
- Stand upright with your upper body uncovered.
- Place the tape measure midway between the lower ribcage and the iliac crest.
- Run the tape measure in a straight line between the two points around your abdomen.
- Read the circumference of the abdomen in a slightly exhaled state.
A waist circumference of more than 88 centimeters in women and 102 centimeters in men significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This benchmark defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is important. This is because people of the same weight may be at different risk for metabolic diseases due to fat distribution.
Risk factors in a combo pack
Among the causes of metabolic and vascular disease, changes in blood pressure, blood sugar and, sooner or later, insulin levels have a firm place alongside too much internal abdominal fat. These changes can develop independently, but can also be caused by excessive internal abdominal fat.
This eventually becomes a dangerous bundle of risks called metabolic syndrome if at least three of the following five criteria are met:
| Risk factor | Values |
|---|---|
| Abdominal girth | Women over 88 cm, Men over 102 cm |
| Triglycerides | Above 150 mg/dl or 1.7 mmol/l |
| HDL cholesterol | Women below 50 mg/dl or 1.30 mmol/l, Men below 40 mg/dl or 1.03 mmol/l |
| Blood glucose | Above 110mg/dl or 6.1 mmol/l (fasting) |
| Blood pressure | above 130 to 85 mmHg |
Internal abdominal fat increases risk of metabolic syndrome
Abdominal obesity with excessive internal abdominal fat is the form of obesity most likely to cause metabolic syndrome. The constellation of metabolic syndrome risk factors over many years leads almost imperceptibly to damage to large and small blood vessels, resulting in consequences to the organs supplied.
The most common consequences affect the coronary vessels (coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction) and the vessels supplying the brain (stroke).
