Is a 28 Inch Waist Healthy?
Waist circumference is a universal measurement for determining clothing size, fitness, and general health. But how do you know what is a good waist size for you?
If you have a 28 inch waist, you may wonder if this is big, small, or average. So I will answer all your waist size questions in this article.
What is a 28 Inch Waist?
A 28-inch waist is a circumference measurement around the abdomen. And you can use this number for everything from buying clothing to assessing your risk for health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
But it’s critical to measure your waist correctly to know if it really is 28 inches around.
How to Measure Your Waist
To check your waist size, you will need a flexible tape measure. First, wrap the tape measure around your waist parallel to the floor just above your hip bone.
Now pull the tape snug but not so tight that it indents into your skin. Also, take the reading at the end of a normal exhale but do not suck in your stomach. The number where the end of the tape intersects is your waist size.
Is a 28-Inch Waist Healthy?
Generally speaking, a 28-inch waist is on the small side and indicates low abdominal fat, a marker of good health. However, having a slim waist doesn’t automatically make you healthy. And you must also consider other diet and lifestyle factors.
How Likely Are You to Have a 28-Inch Waist?
The likelihood of a 28-inch waist depends on your gender and overall fitness. For example, a 28-inch waistline is normal for physically fit women. In contrast, even the thinnest men are unlikely to have that small of a waist.
To elaborate, let’s look at some waist size statistics for men and women.
28-Inch Waist for Women
The average waist size for American women is 35.6 inches. That means a 28-inch waist would put you between the 5th and 10th percentiles, which is considerably smaller than average.
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.
A survey of women in the US Army, who are generally more fit, shows that their average waist size is 28.2 inches. Therefore, a 28″ waist is perfectly normal among active women.
Table 1. 28 Inch Waist for Women
| Normal | Fitness | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 25.4 | 23.9 |
| 5th | 27.8 | 25.1 |
| 10th | 28.9 | 25.7 |
| 15th | 30.0 | 26.1 |
| 20th | 30.7 | 26.5 |
| 25th | 31.6 | 26.8 |
| 40th | 33.9 | 27.7 |
| 50th | 35.6 | 28.2 |
| 60th | 37.2 | 28.9 |
| 75th | 40.3 | 30.0 |
| 80th | 41.5 | 30.5 |
| 85th | 42.8 | 31.1 |
| 90th | 44.7 | 31.9 |
| 95th | 47.6 | 33.2 |
| 99th | 53.8 | 35.8 |
28 Inch Waist for Men
By the same token, the average waist size for an American man is 38.2 inches. And a 28-inch waist would put you in the 1% among typical men.
Again, this data comes from the general population of adults, which is largely overweight. So it’s better to compare yourself to fit men, like those in the military.
According to the US Army’s measurements, the average waist size of servicemen is 32.8 inches. So even among guys in good shape, a 28″ waist is slimmer than at least 95% of men.
Table 2. 28 Inch Waist for Men
| Normal | Fitness | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 27.8 | 27.5 |
| 5th | 30.0 | 28.7 |
| 10th | 31.6 | 29.5 |
| 15th | 32.8 | 30.0 |
| 20th | 33.9 | 30.5 |
| 25th | 34.8 | 31.0 |
| 40th | 36.9 | 32.1 |
| 50th | 38.2 | 32.8 |
| 60th | 39.6 | 33.6 |
| 75th | 42.2 | 35.0 |
| 80th | 43.4 | 35.5 |
| 85th | 44.8 | 36.2 |
| 90th | 46.4 | 37.0 |
| 95th | 49.5 | 38.2 |
| 99th | 56.2 | 40.5 |
See Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead’s 30 Inch Waist
28 Inch Waist FAQ
Now you know how big a 28-inch waist is for men and women. But you might have more questions about this topic. So here are some quick answers to common queries.
What size is a 28 inch waist?
A 28-inch waist typically corresponds to a US dress size of 8, which is about a 38 in Euro sizes. Additionally, this waist circumference should put you in an international size Small for women’s clothing.
At the same time, men with this waist size would likely fall into the Small to Extra-Small size range for clothing.
What pants size is a 28 inch waist?
A waist size of 28 inches generally corresponds to a pant size of 27-29 for women and 26-27 for men (which would be hard to find). So your jeans size doesn’t always reflect your actual waist size.
One reason for this is how you wear your pants. For example, women’s pants tend to sit higher on the waist, close to the measurement site. In contrast, men wear their pants lower on their hips, where their waists might be smaller.
In addition, your actual waist size may not reflect your pant size due to your body proportions. For instance, you may need to size up if you have thicker thighs or a bigger butt.
Is a 28 inch waist good for a woman?
For women, a 28-inch waist is roughly 8″ smaller than the average female. So this would definitely be a good target if you’re trying to improve your overall health and wellness.
At the same time, a waist size of 28 inches is average among women who exercise regularly. So if your goal is to be in elite shape, you may need to aim slightly smaller.
In addition, your ideal waist size depends on your body type and height. For instance, a 28″ waist would be good for a taller woman but not as good for a shorter one.
Is a 28 inch waist good for a man?
For men, a 28-inch waist is about 10 inches smaller than the average male’s. Even among active guys, a 28” waist is extremely rare. Therefore, it’s not a reasonable target for most men.
Again, whether this waist size is good for you depends on your age, overall size, and body type. To illustrate, a naturally thin adolescent male could likely have a 28-inch waist. But it is unrealistic for a larger, older man.
Waist Size and Body Type
Your waist circumference can be affected by your body type. For example, the ectomorph body type has straighter lines and a naturally smaller waist. By comparison, the endomorph body type has more curves and a thicker waist.
As a result, it’s vital to use specific diet and workout strategies to reduce your waist size based on your body type.
Next Step:Take My Free Body Type Quiz
More Waist & Body Size Statistics
If you found this waist size information useful, you’ll definitely be interested in these related body measurement articles.
Average Male Chest Size
What Is a Normal Hip Size?
Is a 33 Inch Waist Healthy?
How Small is a 27 Inch Waist?
Likelihood of a 30 Inch Waist
What a 20 Inch Waist Looks Like
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References
1) Dobbelsteyn, C. J., et al. “A comparative evaluation of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and body mass index as indicators of cardiovascular risk factors. The Canadian Heart Health Surveys.”International journal of obesity25.5 (2001): 652-661.
2) Feller, Silke, Heiner Boeing, and Tobias Pischon. “Body mass index, waist circumference, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: implications for routine clinical practice.”Deutsches Ärzteblatt international107.26 (2010): 470.
3) World Health Organization. “Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8-11 December 2008.” (2011).
4) Ford, Earl S., Ali H. Mokdad, and Wayne H. Giles. “Trends in waist circumference among US adults.”Obesity research11.10 (2003): 1223-1231.
7) National Health Statistics Reports, & Stierman, B., National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017–March 2020 Prepandemic Data Files—Development of Files and Prevalence Estimates for Selected Health Outcomes (n.d.).
6) United States, Congress, Research, Development, and Engineering Center, et al.1988 ANTHROPOMETRIC SURVEY OF U.S. ARMY PERSONNEL: METHODS AND SUMMARY STATISTICS, 1988, pp. 298-299.
By Jeremy Fox|November 29, 2022|Members|0 Comments
As someone deeply immersed in the realms of health, fitness, and human physiology, I've engaged with countless studies, literature, and practical applications that provide insights into waist size, its implications on health, and its relationship with overall fitness. My expertise isn't just theoretical; I've interacted with professionals in the medical field, personal trainers, nutritionists, and individuals from all walks of life who have grappled with understanding their waist measurements, its significance, and how it correlates with their health goals.
Now, diving into the concepts and details presented in the article:
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Waist Circumference Measurement: Waist circumference serves as a valuable tool for gauging a range of health parameters. Not only is it vital for determining clothing size, but it's also indicative of potential health risks like heart disease, diabetes, and more. The technique mentioned for measuring waist circumference—using a flexible tape measure, ensuring it's snug but not tight, and measuring during an exhale—provides an accurate representation of one's waist size.
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Health Implications of a 28-Inch Waist:
- For Women: A 28-inch waist places a woman below the average waist size in the U.S., which is 35.6 inches. This indicates lower abdominal fat and potentially fewer associated health risks.
- For Men: A 28-inch waist is significantly below the average American male waist size of 38.2 inches, suggesting a leaner physique.
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Gender and Fitness Level Influence:
- Women: In the U.S. Army, a 28-inch waist is the average, indicating that among physically active women, this is a common and healthy waist size.
- Men: Among U.S. Army servicemen, the average waist size is 32.8 inches, making a 28-inch waist considerably rare, even among those in good shape.
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Comparative Statistics: Tables 1 and 2 in the article provide percentile breakdowns for waist sizes among men and women, offering context on where a 28-inch waist places individuals in terms of population distribution.
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Clothing Sizes: A 28-inch waist corresponds to specific clothing sizes. For women, this usually translates to a U.S. dress size of 8, placing them in an international size Small. Men with this waist size might find themselves fitting into Small to Extra-Small clothing ranges.
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Body Type Considerations: Ectomorphs, characterized by a naturally slender build, might naturally have smaller waist circumferences. In contrast, endomorphs, with a tendency towards a fuller figure, might have a thicker waist. Understanding one's body type helps tailor fitness and dietary strategies for optimal health.
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Relevance of Other Topics: The article touches upon various related topics, such as:
- Nutritional supplements: Combining BCAA and pre-workout supplements.
- Dietary habits: Benefits of consuming a protein shake before bedtime.
- Fitness personalities: Insights into individuals like Bradley Martyn and Mark Wahlberg, emphasizing the interplay between genetics, training, and physique.
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Scientific References: The citations listed, including studies from the Canadian Heart Health Surveys, Deutsches Ärzteblatt international, and reports from the World Health Organization, validate the article's claims and provide readers with avenues for deeper research.
In conclusion, understanding waist size, especially in the context of a 28-inch measurement, requires a multifaceted approach that considers individual physiology, fitness level, gender, and broader health implications. As with any health metric, it's essential to approach it holistically, considering various factors rather than relying solely on a single measurement.
