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Q.

How much is too much visceral fat?

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A.

CT scan or MRI is the most precise way to see where fat is stored. But there are simple – and free -- calculations that can show how you might be storing your fat.

Most experts agree that, no matter what your weight, a waist circumference over 35 inches for a woman and over 40 for a man indicates that you may have unsafe levels of visceral fat.

Measuring your waist sounds simple enough. But to make sure you get it right, here are instructions from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute:

  • Stand up. Exhale before you measure -- do not suck in your breath.

  • Wrap the tape measure around your middle. It should go across your navel.

  • Make sure bottom of the tape measure is just above your hip bones. It does not go higher up, even if you're narrower there.

While you're at it, measure your hips, too. Waist-to-hip ratio also indicates fat distribution. According to the Western Journal of Medicine, a healthy ratio is up to 0.8 for women and up to 0.9 for men. The journal offers these guidelines for an accurate hip measurement:

  • Stand up. Place the tape measure around your hips.

  • Make sure the tape goes over the knobby protrusions of the hip bones.

  • To get your waist-to-hip ratio, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.

This answer should not be considered medical advice...down arrowThis answer should not be considered medical advice and should not take the place of a doctor’s visit. Please see the bottom of the page for more information or visit our Terms and Conditions.up arrow

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