Your waist circumference is a marker of fat distribution in the abdomen, the riskiest area to carry excess fat. High waist circumference is associated with increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease regardless of your body weight. Waist circumference should be measured at the level of the top of the hip bone to determine risk (not at the belly button or smallest part of waist). A waist circumference <35 inches in women or <40 inches in men is optimal.