Mumsnet Talk

I went for an MOT at my Nuffield gym a couple of weeks ago, and it was going pretty well until the guy got his tape measure out. I was dreading this moment, because although I'm back to pre-pregnancy weight, my belly is rubbish and I suspect always will be.

Anyway, he took my waist measurement by getting me to stick my finger in my belly button and measured at that point (probably the widest point of my tummy). When he did the results for my waist to hip ratio, I was literally off the scale despite my BMI being smack in the middle of healthy.

Does anyone know if he did this the right way? Should my waist be measured at the point? It's really bothered me, because I don't think I can lose any more weight than I already have

Sounds stupid to me. I would consider my waist to be the smallest bit on my torso and my hips to be the largest bit on my lower half.

Thanks nikki - just realised I sound a bit like the insecure friend asking if my bum looks big in this

That is where the waist is. The waist to hip ratio helps you determine your overall health risk. People with more weight around their waist are at greater risk of lifestyle related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes than those with weight around their hips.

I measure 0.7 which makes me low risk. If you are .85 and above you are at much higher risk. My sister carries a lot of fat round her middle and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year.

Here is a link that expalins it.

www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculat or/waist-to-hip-ratio-chart.php

But bunbaker - your link says "To determine your Waist Circumference, locate the upper hip bone and place a measuring tape around the abdomen". That's a good 2 inches above my belly button, and is where my waist goes back in again. When you had yours done, did they use your belly button to locate your waist?

(Paranoid thought...Does this mean I've got a freakishly low belly button as well as a horrid tummy to contend with?)

I didn't "have mine done". I just measured myself and yes, the narrowest part of my waist is where my belly button is. Perhaps I have a freakishly high belly button!

This is the earlier page on the link. I hope I didn't confuse you.
www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculat or/

My belly button is pretty much at my upper hip bone, and is my narrowest point.
So yes maybe you have a freakishly low belly button, but that's good if it means the gym guy was wrong and you don't have a life expectancy of 15 minutes.

Gah - you make buns AND you have a perfect waist to hip ratio. I want to be you

It's ok you are not a freak! My belly button is well below my waist. Had a look and there are more of us out there

www.lululemon.com/community/blog/how-to-measure-yo urself/

Phew!

I have a 0.73 ratio and I am a right fatty but I am pear shaped so apparently I am therefore healthy . My BMI is 28.5 so I think not. The ratio is the same for me if I am 9st 7 or 11st 7 like I am now so although I know it means I have less fat around my organs which is good I would not use it to decide if I was fat or not.

According to my hips waist ratio I should be ridiculously healthy

My hips are huge and my waist is quite small
So much so I resorted to buying new trousers yesterday that I have to hold hp using a sfatey pin. Its depressing

Nikki - hurrah! Although my belly doesn't quite look like the woman's in the link [self-conciously tucks rice pudding like belly back into enormous knickers] it's good to see that even washboard stomachs can have freakishly low belly buttons

Bronze - you sound like you've got a Beyonce type figure. That's awesome, not depressing! Maybe ditch the safety pin and get to a seamstress to show your booty off to its best!

Dilys - think I've now doubled my life expectancy to at least 30 mins. Going to go and celebrate with a doughnut...

The woman in the link doesn't have a waist. she looks too straight up and down to me.

I have just checked again. My waist is about half an inch above my belly button.

Oh just found this thread after starting my own. My bmi is 24 but my waist to height ratio is 50%. Apparently waist to height ratio is a greater indicator of cardiovascular risk, so I'm trying to get it down.