What does it mean to expand the waistline?
An expanding waistline is sometimes considered the price of getting older. For women, this can be especially true after menopause, when body fat tends to shift to the abdomen. Yet an increase in belly fat does more than make it hard to zip up your jeans. Research shows that belly fat also carries serious health risks.
What is waist used for?
It measures the proportion by which fat is distributed around the torso. Waist–hip ratios of 0.7 for women and 0.9 for men have been shown to correlate strongly with general health and fertility. Colloquially this shape is compared to the hourglass shape.
What causes increased waist size?
Causes of a High Waist Circumference A larger waist circumference is often caused by intra-abdominal visceral fat. Visceral fat is fat that develops between and around internal organs. This type of fat differs from “regular” fat that sits just beneath the skin and can be pinched.
Why has my body gotten wider?
A combination of things happens as we age. We tend to lose muscle mass, so our abdominal muscles aren’t as tight as they once were, and the loss of elastin and collagen in our skin allows gravity to have its way so skin starts to sag. Both can cause the waistline to expand.
What is a defined waist?
English Language Learners Definition of waist : the middle part of your body between the hips and chest or upper back that is usually narrower than the areas above and below it. : the part of a piece of clothing that fits around your waist.
What should my waist size be?
For your best health, your waist should be less than 40 inches around for men, and less than 35 inches for women, although it may vary depending on race or ethnicity. If it’s larger than that, you may want to talk with your doctor about what your next steps are, including losing weight.
How do you know if you have defined waist?
How to Know if You Have a Defined Waist. If you have wider shoulders than hips – then you may or may not have a defined waist, and will dress your waist more as an X if it’s defined or as an H if it’s undefined.