Health targets for adults

Parameter Health target Comments and notes
Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5 - 24.9 BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height (m)2
Waist circumference Males < 94 cm
Females < 80 cm		 Waist circumference is measured half way between the inferior margin of the last rib and the crest of the ilium in the mid-axillary plane; at the end of normal expiration.
Smoking Non-smoker
Nutrition Eat plenty of:
  • Vegetables, legumes and fruits.
  • Cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain.
  • Include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives.
  • Include milks, yoghurts, cheeses and/or alternatives. Reduced-fat varieties should be chosen, where possible.
  • Drink plenty of water.
Nutrition Take care to:
  • Limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake.
  • Choose foods low in salt.
  • Limit sugars and foods containing added sugars.
  • Choose foods high in fibre.
Nutrition Folic acid supplementation During pregnancy
Alcohol intake To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm, the NHMRC recommends:
  • Men and women—no more then 2 standard drinks per day
  • Men and women—no more than 4 standard drinks occasionally
  • People under 18 years of age—nil alcohol intake
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women—nil alcohol intake
Blood pressure –
Low risk person		 ≤140/90  
Blood pressure –
Higher risk person		 ≤130/80

Risk factors:

  • Known ASCVD
  • Heart failure
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Stroke/TIA
  • Age 65+
  • Cardiovascular risk ≥10%
Fasting glucose 4-7 mmol/L  
Lipids - primary prevention (moderate to high ASCVD risk)
  • TC <4.0 mmol/L
  • HDL-C ≥1.0 mmol/L
  • LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L
  • Non-HDL-C <2.5 mmol/L
  • TG <2.0 mmol/L
 Aim towards the following targets while balancing the risks/benefits
Lipids - secondary prevention (established ASCVD)
  • LDL-C <1.8 mmol/L
  
Lipids - secondary prevention (established ASCVD with additional very high risk factors)
  • LDL-C <1.4 mmol/L
  

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