Waist to Hip Ratio Measurement

What is waist-to-hip ratio is a measure of fat distribution in the body. It tells about the proportion of fat stored on your body around your waist and hip.

The waist-to-hip (WTH) ratio is calculated by dividing waist measurement to hip measurement (W ÷ H). This calculation tells us the measure of fat distribution. We know that high amount of fat in our body is a health risk. Fat may be stored at any part of our body. For many people, it is stored in their hips and thighs, while others around the middle body, that is in the waist. Excess fat regardless of its distribution pattern in the body has been linked to several serious medical conditions. Fat distribution is also important. In other words, our body shape is important, i.e. where we have the fat in our body, on waist, neck or thighs?

Waist Meaurement

How to measure waistline

Your trouser waist size does not give your correct waist size.

Breathe out normally and measure your waist directly against your skin using a tap without compressing the skin. Measure roughly in line with your belly button, i.e.halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hipbone. The waist measurement higher than the following is associated with increased risk of chronic disease.

Men:

Increased risk: more than 94 cm (37 inch)
Greatly increased risk: more than 102 cm (40 inch)

Women:

Increased risk: more than 80 cm (32 inch)
Greatly increased risk: more than 88 cm (35 inch)

Note that the waist to hip ratio is as important as the thigh circumference.

You are at increased risk of developing certain diseases like some cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, if your waistline is getting bigger.

The excess fat around your waist coats your organs. Even a small amount of intra-abdominal fat increases of having serious health problems.

So it is important to measure your waistline. As the WHP ratio table shows the risk goes up with a waist size that is greater than 37 inches (97 cm) for men and 32 inches (80 cm) for women .

Waist-To-Hip Ratio Calculator

You can calculate your ratio by the following waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator

Measure the circumference of your waist at its smallest part. Then measure the circumference of your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Divide the two values to get the waist-to-hip-ratio. You can use the following calculator.

Ideal waist-to-hip-ratio for women and men are given below according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):

women : 0.8 or less
men : 0.95 or less.

If your waist-to-hip ratio is less than 0.72, you are in the pear shaped body category. If your waist-to-hip ratio is 0.76 to 0.83, then your risk of a heart attack or coronary artery disease is 100% higher than a pear shaped women.

If you eat a healthy diet and remain physical active, then you can maintain an ideal body weight. In general, a decrease in total body weight will also result in a decrease in waist-to-hip ratio.

Abdominal Exercies