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Your health can be detected by how wide the circumference of your stomach is, you know! People who have a large abdominal circumference are more at risk of developing various chronic diseases such as heart disease than those with a small stomach circumference. So, are you among those who have a large or small stomach circumference? To make it easier for you, see how to measure your belly circumference in the following review.
The importance of measuring the circumference of the stomach
Most people have only measured the risk of obesity or overweight from the numbers on the scale alone. Though, obesity and overweight can also be measured through the circumference of the stomach.
The size of your belly circumference can describe how much visceral fat has accumulated around the stomach. Well, this accumulation of fat in the stomach can be a sign that you are at higher risk for diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
Experts agree that abdominal circumference is more accurate for showing central obesity in adults than body mass index. Central obesity itself is an excess of fat in the stomach. Various studies have revealed that central obesity or better known as a distended stomach is many times more dangerous than obesity in general.
That is why it is important to frequently check your belly circumference. No need to worry, how to measure abdominal circumference is not as difficult as you imagine, 'really.
How to measure belly circumference
Measuring abdominal circumference should not be arbitrary. Without the right technique, the results will certainly not be accurate. For optimal results, you should take off clothes such as shirts, skirts, or trousers. That way, the stomach can be well exposed.
Don't forget, first prepare a measuring tape or meter that is usually used to make clothes. You can buy this measuring tape at a store that sells sewing kits.
If the tools you need are available, you can start measuring your abdominal circumference. Here's how to measure your stomach circumference that you need to pay close attention to.
- Stand in front of the mirror in an upright and relaxed position.
- Press your fingers against the skin to find the lower ribs and upper lumbar ribs.
- Find the middle between the two bones. This spot is parallel to your belly button.
- Then place the tip of the meter number 0 on the spot parallel to the navel and the rest is looped to the stomach and the entire torso. Make sure the tape measure is horizontal (flat) and does not put too much pressure on the skin of the stomach.
- Check the number on the tape measure where the 0 meets the last digit wrapped around your waist. The last number is your waist measurement.
When measuring your belly circumference, try not to hold your breath or constrict your stomach. Because, this can actually make the measurement results inaccurate. In essence, stand in an upright position while relaxing your body and exhaling slowly.
Quoting on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the safe limit for the circumference of the stomach man is 90 cm, meanwhile woman 80 cm.
If your measurement results exceed this limit, start changing your lifestyle to be healthier by adjusting your diet and increasing physical activity. Apart from helping to lose belly fat, this method is also an effort to reduce the risk of developing various chronic diseases in the future.
Don't hesitate to check with your doctor for help in determining the best treatment for your condition.
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