Waist circumference is a simple measurement that estimates abdominal fat, the fat depot most strongly linked to metabolic risk. Australian guidance flags increased risk above 94 centimetres for men and 80 centimetres for women, with substantially increased risk above 102 and 88 centimetres respectively.
Waist measurement adds information BMI misses, since two people with the same BMI can carry fat very differently. It is quick to track at home, making it a practical progress marker during a weight management program.