Waistline measurement at belly button or smallest part?

[GoldPenny]

In health magazines, they generally tell you to measure your waistline at the belly button (right above the hip bones); however, in fashion catalogs, it's "the smallest part of your waistline." There is at least a two inch difference between these two for me. When celebrities or other people disclose their waistlines, which part do they usually mean?

[LoveLace]

I can't answer the question about the celebrities...but from having a Sports Med/Fitness degree, I learned to measure more like just above the belly button, the smallest area. For the hips, you are supposed to measure at the widest part, where you can feel your hip bone...

[GoldPenny]

Thanks, the inconsistency is such a burden. Men's Health and Women's Health, for example, state right at the belly button or the widest before hitting the hip bones. On average, there is a two-three inch difference for me between the two areas (belly button and smallest part), so that is pretty significant.

[LoveLace]

I think it could also vary from person to person...probably, wherever the smallest part of your waist is, is where you should measure. For some people, it might be right at the belly button but above that for others. Sord of like if you measure body fat with those skinfold calipers...you are supposed to apply them to the area where the most fat can be grabbed...

[GoldPenny]

^ Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.