Waist to Hip Ratio
Your waist to hip ratio is an essential indicator that assists you determines your overall health risk. If you are wider at your waist compared to your hips, you are at a higher risk of lifestyle related diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Research shows that people with “apple-shaped” bodies (with body fat deposited around their abdomen) face more health risks that those with “pear-shaped” bodies (with body fat deposited around their hips).
How to Determine Waist to Hip Ratio?
You measure your waist at the smaller circumference of your natural waist below your rib-cage but above your belly button with a measuring tape. Then measure your hips- the widest part of your butt. Finally, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. Then, with compared below chart, see which category of health risk you are in.
Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) Chart
| Male | Female | Health Risk Based Solely on WHR |
| <0.95 | <0.80 | Low Risk |
| 0.96 to 1.0 | 0.81 to 0.85 | Moderate Risk |
| >1.0 | >0.85 | High Risk |
