Waist-hip Ratio

Waist-Hip Ratio and Apple/Pear Shapes

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) looks at the proportion of fat stored on your body around your waist and hip. It is a simple but useful measure of fat distribution. Most people store their body fat in two distinct ways: around their middle (apple shape) and around their hips (pear shape).

Waist-Hip Ratio and Health Risk

Having an apple shape (carrying extra weight around the stomach) is riskier for your health than having a pear shape (carrying extra weight around your hips or thighs). This is because body shape and health risk are linked. If you have more weight around your waist you have a greater risk of lifestyle related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes than those with weight around their hips.

Waist-Hip Ratio and Obesity

Even so, overall obesity is still of greater risk than where fat is distributed or stored on your body. Other important measurements are Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentage of body fat.

How to Calculate Waist-Hip Ratio?

Waist Hip Ratio is calculated by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. (Hips are the widest part of your butt).

Best Waist-Hip Ratio for Men and Women

Ideally, women should have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.8 or less.

Ideally, men should have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.95 or less.