Calculate your waist-to-hip ratio and understand your health risks
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure that compares the size of your waist in inches to that of your hips. It's used as an indicator of health risks associated with excess body fat around your waist. Research has shown that WHR is a strong indicator of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
To calculate your WHR, you need to measure around the narrowest part of your natural waistline and the widest part of your hips. The ratio is then calculated by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement.
For example, if your waist is 30 inches and your hips are 40 inches, your WHR would be 0.75. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that a WHR of 0.9 or higher for men and 0.85 or higher for women indicates increased health risks.
| Waist (in) | Hips (in) | WHR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 40 | 0.75 |
| 35 | 45 | 0.78 |