Table 4. Recommended waist circumference thresholds for abdominal obesity in adults by different organizations (2009).
| Population | Organization | Recommended waist circumference threshold for abdominal obesity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | ||
| Europid | IDF | ≥94 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Caucasian | WHO | ≥94 cm (increased risk) | ≥80 cm (increased risk) |
| ≥102 cm (still higher risk) | ≥88 cm (still higher risk) | ||
| United States | AHA/NHLBI (ATP III)* | ≥102 cm | ≥88 cm |
| Canada | Health Canada | ≥102 cm | ≥88 cm |
| European | European Cardiovascular Societies | ≥102 cm | ≥88 cm |
| Asian (including Japanese) | IDF | ≥90 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Asian | WHO | ≥90 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Japanese | Japanese Obesity Society | ≥85 cm | ≥90 cm |
| China | Cooperative Task Force | ≥85 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Middle East, Mediterranean | IDF | ≥94 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Sub-Saharan African | IDF | ≥94 cm | ≥80 cm |
| Ethnic Central and South American | IDF | ≥90 cm | ≥80 cm |
IDF: International Diabetes Federation, WHO: World Health Organization, NHLBI: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, ATPIII: the adult treatment panel III.
*The guidelines of the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for the metabolic syndrome recognize an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes at waist-circumference thresholds of ≥94 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women and identify these as optional cut points for individuals or populations with increased insulin resistance.
Modified and reproduced with permission from reference [15].