For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.
A jean with 34 inches (ca. 86 centimeters) waist approximately corresponds to a US size 20 or XL size.
The average waist size for American women is 35.6 inches. That means a 33-inch is smaller than most females and would put you in the 30-35th percentile. However, it's important to remember that 3 out of 4 adult women in the US are overweight or obese. So you might not want to compare yourself to the general population.
Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are1: A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches. A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches.
A woman's health is at risk if her waist circumference is 32 inches or more. A measurement of 35 or more puts you at high risk for a heart attack or stroke. People with a high level of abdominal fat have a much higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Ideally, your waist measurement should be less than half of your height. (So if you're 5 foot 6, or 66 inches, your waist circumference should be less than 33 inches.)
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.
What should your waist measurement be? For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.
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.
If your BMI is 18.5 to <25, it falls within the healthy weight range. If your BMI is 25.0 to <30, it falls within the overweight range. If your BMI is 30.0 or higher, it falls within the obesity range.
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.
It depends what you means by “normal.” Medically, the advice these days is for a woman to have a waist less than 32 inches [81.5 cm] and 36 inches [91.5 cm] for a man. Above those measurements is regarded by the medics as indicating overweight and loss of control over diet, exercise, lifestyle generally.
Waist Size: XS or extra small means 28–30 inches (71–76 cm), S or Small means 30–32 inches (76–81 cm), M or Medium means 32–34 inches (81–86 cm), and L or Large means 34–36 inches (86–91 cm).
A waist circumference above 80 cm for women and above 94 cm for men is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions. A waist circumference above 88 cm for women and above 102 cm for men is associated with a substantially increased risk of chronic conditions (WHO 2000).
How quickly will you lose weight? The volunteers reduced their waist sizes by an average of 1 inch for every 4lb (1.81kg) they lost. So if you lose 1lb (0.45kg) a week you could hope to reduce your waistline by an inch after four weeks.
The bottom line
The average American woman's waist size is 38.7 inches. Also, the average American woman is 63.6 inches tall and weigh 170 pounds. All of these numbers are indicators of health, but not predictors.
Waist to height ratio is an indicator of your risks for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and hypertension. It is obtained by dividing waist size by height. Men and women should keep their waist circumference, no more than half their height.
The specific proportions of 36–24–36 inches (90-60-90 centimeters) have frequently been given as the "ideal", or "hourglass" proportions for women since at least the 1960s (these measurements are, for example, the title of a hit instrumental by The Shadows).
If you are asking if a woman who wears a size 8 is “fat” your answer is a resounding NO. Plus sizes begin at size 14 (generally speaking) and even then, a 6′ tall woman wearing a size 14 is typically not super large.