For a 5'3" woman, a healthy waist size is generally considered under 31.5 inches (80 cm) to reduce health risks, with a goal of keeping it less than half your height (under 31.5 inches), though a range of 25-32 inches is often cited as a healthy range for health and attractiveness. Your ideal waist size depends on your body composition, but aiming for below 31.5 inches significantly lowers risks for heart disease and diabetes, according to health organizations.
Your waist to height ratio is a way to measure your health alongside your body mass index (BMI). You should try to keep your waist size to less than half your height.
So at 27 in, you fall in the standard of having a very small waist! WebMD advises that the ideal waist size for a woman to have to be considered a low risk for heart disease and other ailments is less than 35 inches circumference, so you are in good health by that standard as well.
From a health perspective, waist size also reflects the risk of obesity-related diseases like heart disease and diabetes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Thus, a 70cm waistline is still within the healthy range.
A waist size of about 32 inches or more indicates that you have an increased risk of health problems. A waist size of about 35 inches or more indicates that you have a high risk of health problems. For Asian women, a waist size of about 32 inches or more indicates that you have a high risk of health problems.
In general, keep waist circumference to less than half your height. For example, for a 6-foot man (72 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 36 inches. For a 5-foot-2 woman (62 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 31 inches.
Requirements for Fit Models
Ideal measurements can vary greatly from brand to brand; however, here are some general guidelines: Women: Bust: 34-35 inches | Waist: 26-27 inches | Hips: 36-37 inches. Men: Chest: 38-40 inches | Waist: 32-34 inches | Inseam: 32-34 inches.
Are you at risk? Male*: more than 94 cm (37 inches) is increased risk; more than 102 cm (40 inches) is substantially increased risk. Female*: more than 80 cm (31.5 inches) is increased risk; more than 88 cm (35 inches) is substantially increased risk.
Waist measurement is a simple check to tell if you're carrying excess body fat around your middle. Your waist measurement is an indicator of the level of internal fat deposits that coat the heart, kidneys, liver, digestive organs and pancreas.
The proven strategies to reduce waist size are eating healthy and regular physical activity. Aerobic exercise burns overall calories and helps you reduce total body fat, especially if you make changes in your diet at the same time.
Yes, a 24-inch waist is definitely small. In fact, it's quite rare for most adults to have a waist that small unless they have a very small frame or are very thin.
A healthy waist circumference, measured at the navel, is less than half the body height. Excess unhealthy body fat, which increases risk for heart disease, diabetes, and related health problems, produces a waist to height ratio of 0.5 or higher. A ratio of 0.6 or higher is especially concerning.
An ideal female body looks like this:
The Hourglass Shape:
(Calculation example: You are an hourglass if your shoulders and hips measure 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or smaller). Those of you with an hourglass body shape naturally have a balanced look with a defined waist.
29 Inch Waist for Women
The average waist size for American women is 35.6 inches. And a 29-inch waist is smaller than 9 out of 10 average females. However, it's important to remember that 3 out of 4 adult women in the US are overweight or obese.
The average Victoria's Secret model has a 23.6-inch waist, an inch less than 20 years ago, and their hips average 34.4 inches, according to The Globe.
For a healthy measurement you need to aim to be less than: 80cm (31.5in) for all women. 94cm (37in) for most men. 90cm (35in) for South Asian men.
A waist circumference of greater than 40 inches for men and greater than 35 inches for women is "considered elevated and indicative of increased cardiometabolic (heart disease-related) risk," said Craig Peters, DO, an HonorHealth cardiologist.