Waist circumference (WC)

Waist circumference refers to the distance around the abdomen at a specific anatomical point—typically midway between the lowest rib and the top of the hipbone, roughly in line with the belly button. It serves as an accessible indicator of central adiposity and visceral fat accumulation. Elevated waist circumference values are strongly associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers—even among individuals whose body mass index falls within normal ranges. Measurement protocols vary slightly between organizations but generally involve using a flexible tape measure placed snugly around the bare abdomen after exhaling normally. While widely used in both clinical practice and epidemiological studies due to its simplicity and predictive value for adverse outcomes related to excess abdominal fat, waist circumference itself does not represent a molecular entity or druggable biological target.

Other names

Abdominal circumferenceWCwaist size