Research
Adherence
The updated CG189 NICE guidelines recommend self-measurement of waist-to-height ratio (target ≥0.5) for adults with BMI <35 kg/m2 to assess abdominal fat and health risk, shifting focus from BMI alone.
If your BMI is under 35, measure your waist and divide it by your height. If the number is 0.5 or higher, you have increased health risk from abdominal fat. Share this number with your doctor to discuss next steps, rather than relying on BMI alone.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
A key update in the CG189 NICE guidelines for obesity (1) is an emphasis on the encouragement of adults with a body mass index (BMI) <35 kg/m2 to measure their own waist-to-height ratio for the assessment of abdominal fat, and to seek advice from a healthcare professional if this measurement indicates an increased heath risk (defined as a ratio ≥0.5).
Why this rating
Based on a cited population-based cohort study (Ref 13) and established correlation of waist-to-height ratio with visceral fat (Ref 10).
Source
How will the latest modifications to the CG189 NICE guidelines for obesity management likely impact clinical care?
Thomas M. Barber · HepatoBiliary Surgery and Nutrition · 2023
DOI 10.21037/hbsn-23-143
narrative_reviewCited 2×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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