Fight the "waist" monster: 3 steps to measure your waist correctly

On the eve of Father's Day, it's urgent to eliminate the "waist" monster that is parasitic on Dad! According to statistics from the National Health Administration, more than 40% of men over 40 have waist circumferences above the standard, and among men with waist circumferences exceeding 90 cm, more than 60% have metabolic syndrome. The National Health and Family Planning Commission urges fathers not to neglect to measure their waist circumference regularly, and to be more moderate in their diet and exercise regularly to combat the growing "waist" monster.

On the eve of Father's Day, protect your dad's health and monitor his waist circumference to make sure it is less than 35 inches (90 cm). (/ File photo)

40% of men haven’t measured their waist circumference for more than half a year!

According to the National Health and Family Planning Administration's 101st "Behavior Radiofrequency Surveillance Survey (BRFSS)", 1,579 male citizens aged 18 and over were interviewed by telephone. The statistical results showed that more than 40.7% of men had not measured their waist circumference for more than six months, nearly 20% of men aged 18 and over had never measured their waist circumference, and the proportion of men aged 65 and over who had never measured their waist circumference was as high as 36.5%.

National Health Administration Director Chiu Shu-ti called on children to pay attention to their fathers' waist health. (Photography by Huang Zilun)

Healthy waist circumference: less than 80 cm (31 inches) for women and less than 90 cm (35 inches) for men

Analysis of survey data also shows that half of the people still do not know what a healthy waist circumference is, which shows that health education information still needs to be improved. The National Health Administration points out that a healthy waist circumference should be less than 80 cm for women and less than 90 cm for men. If it exceeds the ideal size, the fat tissue accumulated in the abdomen will affect the body's metabolism, leading to increased blood triglyceride levels and blood sugar, and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Further analysis of the relationship between waist size, three highs and metabolic syndrome found that as men's waist circumference increases, their BMI value soars, and the rates of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood lipids also increase. Statistics show that among men with a waist circumference of more than 90 cm, the proportion of those with metabolic syndrome is more than 60%!

Monitor your waistline: Learn to measure your waistline correctly in 3 steps

If you want to monitor your own waistline, it is essential to measure your waistline correctly. You should remember the following three steps:

1. Remove clothing covering your waist and stand comfortably with your hands hanging naturally.

2. Wrap the tape measure around the waist and adjust the height of the tape measure to the middle point between the upper edge of the ilium and the lower edge of the ribs on both sides. Keep the tape measure level with the ground, close to the skin without squeezing it.

3. At the end of the "exhale", measure your waist circumference.

Diagram of correct waist measurement. (Source: National Health Service)

Men use health checkups less frequently than women, making good use of them to detect metabolic syndrome early

The National Health Administration further stated that in 2012, approximately 1.74 million people aged 40 and above used adult preventive health care services, of which 43% (approximately 740,000) were males and 57% (approximately 1 million) were females. This shows that the utilization of free health check-up services by men is still lower than that by women.

Fathers are reminded that on the eve of Father's Day, while working hard, they should make full use of the free adult health checkup services provided by the National Health Administration (once every three years for people aged 40 to 65). Children should urge their fathers to go to the hospital regularly for services. In addition, the National Health and Family Planning Commission has set up a health management hotline at 0800-367-100 (to lose weight, you need to exercise), and everyone is welcome to use it.