This article is for health education purposes only and is provided for informational reference. It does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified physician for any health concerns.
The number on the scale may be deceiving you. According to the latest WHO data, more than 1 billion people worldwide are now living with obesity, and the combined rate of overweight and obesity among Chinese adults has reached 50.7%. But even more worthy of attention than body weight is another often-overlooked indicator—waist circumference.①
① Waist Circumference Exceeding the Red Line = Abdominal Obesity
By Chinese standards, a waist circumference of ≥90 cm in men and ≥85 cm in women defines abdominal obesity.
② Why Is Waist Circumference More Important Than Body Weight?
Waist circumference reflects visceral fat. Visceral fat is closely associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Some individuals have a normal BMI yet, due to an elevated waist circumference, fall into the category of "metabolically obese normal weight" (MONW).
③ How to Measure Correctly?
Stand upright, breathe out gently, and place a soft measuring tape horizontally around the abdomen at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the 12th rib. Do not compress the skin. Measure once weekly at a fixed time.
One Action for Today: Measure your waist circumference once. If it is ≥90 cm for men or ≥85 cm for women, it is recommended to have your blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and liver fat checked.
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Data sources: WHO Obesity and Overweight Fact Sheet (2024); NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, The Lancet (2024); National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Report on Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status of Chinese Residents (2020); Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in Chinese Adults. © 2026 Sun Saint Hua (Beijing) Medical Technology Co., Ltd.