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What Is Waist-to-Hip Ratio?
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference. It measures how body fat is distributed — whether it is concentrated around the abdomen ("apple" shape) or around the hips and thighs ("pear" shape). Abdominal fat is associated with higher health risks than fat stored in the hips and thighs.
Health Risk Categories
The World Health Organization defines health risk thresholds based on WHR. For men, a WHR below 0.90 is low risk, 0.90-1.00 is moderate risk, and above 1.00 is high risk. For women, below 0.80 is low risk, 0.80-0.85 is moderate risk, and above 0.85 is high risk. These thresholds reflect the increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk associated with abdominal fat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually at or just above the belly button. Measure your hips at the widest point around the buttocks. Use a flexible tape measure, keep it snug but not tight, and measure on bare skin or over thin clothing. Stand relaxed and do not suck in your stomach.
WHR and BMI measure different things. BMI assesses overall weight relative to height but does not distinguish fat from muscle or fat distribution. WHR specifically measures fat distribution, which is a better predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. Using both together gives a more complete health picture.
Yes. Reducing abdominal fat through a combination of cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and a balanced diet can lower your WHR. Spot reduction is a myth — you cannot target belly fat specifically — but overall fat loss tends to reduce waist circumference. Stress management also helps since cortisol promotes abdominal fat storage.