Next, stand with your feet directly beneath your hips and wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and buttocks.

Often, you can improve your WHR by making lifestyle changes, such as improving your eating habits and being more physically active. Rothman KJ. BMI-related errors in the measurement of obesity. Int J Obes Lond. Moosaie F, Fatemi Abhari SM, Deravi N, et al. Waist-to-height ratio is a more accurate tool for predicting hypertension than waist-to-hip circumference and bmi in patients with type 2 diabetes: a prospective study.

Front Public Health. Seidell JC. Eur J Clin Nutr. Cao Q, Yu S, Xiong W, et al. Waist-hip ratio as a predictor of myocardial infarction risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Medicine Baltimore. Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: Report of WHO expert consultation. World Health Organization. Waist Circumference and Waist-Hip Ratio Report of a WHO Expert Consultation. Romaguera D, Ängquist L, Du H, et al. Food composition of the diet in relation to changes in waist circumference adjusted for body mass index.

PLoS ONE. My Plate. Move more; sit less. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By Cara Rosenbloom, RD Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors.

Weight Management. By Cara Rosenbloom RD is a dietitian, journalist, book author, and the founder of Words to Eat By, a nutrition communications company in Toronto, ON. Cara Rosenbloom, RD. Learn about our editorial process. Learn more. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research.

Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Medically reviewed by Anisha Shah, MD. Learn about our Medical Review Board.

Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Why Does WHR Matter? How to Calculate WHR Ratio. Waist to Hip Ratio Chart. WHR Ratio Examples.

Using WHR to Improve Your Health. Frequently Asked Questions. Waist to Hip Ratio Risk Level Chart Health Risk Level Female Male Low 0. How to Take Body Measurements. Frequently Asked Questions What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?

How do you measure your waist and hips? How can you improve your waist-to-hip ratio? Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The answer depends on your gender. For men, 0. The answer is 0. This is a good result; you have a low risk of disease! Embed Share via. Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator Created by Małgorzata Koperska , MD. Reviewed by Bogna Szyk and Adena Benn. World Health Organization - Nutrition and Food Safety Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation; ; December Table of contents: Why is waist-hip ratio important?

How should I measure waist and hips? How do I calculate the waist to hip ratio? How does the waist to hip ratio calculator work? Keep reading if: You wonder what conclusion you might draw from your waist-hip ratio; You wish to learn how to measure your waist and hips correctly; or You wish to learn how our waist-to-hip calculator works.

Why is waist-hip ratio important? It's more complicated than you might think: According to the WHO's data gathering protocol, we should use a stretch-resistant tape to measure the waist circumference at the midpoint between the last palpable rib and the top of the iliac crest. Hip circumference should be measured around the widest portion of the buttocks, with the tape parallel to the floor.

Practically, the measurements are usually taken at the smallest circumference of the natural waist, usually just above the belly button and the widest part of the buttocks or hip. Our waist-to-hip ratio calculator is very easy to use.

Simply choose your preferred unit of measurement in the fields marked waist circumference and hip circumference. Next, enter your waist and hip circumference. And now you should be able to see your waist-to-hip ratio. FAQ What is the perfect waist-to-hip ratio? What is my waist hip ratio if my waist is 75 and hip 95?

Małgorzata Koperska , MD. Waist circumference W. Hip circumference H. Your waist-hip ratio.

A doctor or nutritionist can provide further advice on how to lose weight. People may take inaccurate measurements or make a mistake when doing the calculation. In addition, if someone has a high BMI or is less than 5 feet tall, their WHR may be less meaningful.

It is important to note that a WHR is not designed to measure the health of children and should only be used for adults. However, as a WHR can be measured inaccurately, it should not be relied on as a sole measure of obesity or health risk.

Talking to the doctor about weight and any associated health risks is always the best way to get a more complete picture. Want to lose those excess pounds? This study may offer some encouragement, after finding that the effects of being overweight may have been….

Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes various health issues. It is linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and type….

Find out what the average American woman weighs and obesity rates are for women globally. We also look at how weight can be measured and controlled….

To find their ideal weight, an individual must look at a number of factors, including gender and activity level. Learn how to find your healthy weight. Body fat scales can be an easy way to track body composition, but research debates their accuracy.

Here, learn about body fat scales and the best…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Why is the hip-waist ratio important? Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.

How to calculate waist-to-hip ratio What is a healthy ratio? Impact on health How to improve the ratio Considerations Conclusion Waist-to-hip ratio, also known as waist-hip ratio, is the circumference of the waist divided by the circumference of the hips.

How to calculate waist-to-hip ratio. Share on Pinterest Waist circumference should be measured just above the belly button.

What is a healthy ratio? Share on Pinterest The hips should be measured at the widest part of the hips. Impact on health. How to improve the ratio. Share on Pinterest Reducing portion size and exercising regularly are recommended to improve waist-to-hip ratio.

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Share this article. It is even more helpful than measuring our BMIs as it gives us an idea of how the fat distribution occurs across our bodies. People who store most of their fat in their middle section, as found in apple-shaped body types, are often at a much higher risk of developing chronic health problems and postural imbalance than individuals having a lower waist to hip ratio.

Pear and hourglass body shapes with a low waist-to-hip ratio are associated with better cardiovascular and reproductive health. They also are the most desirable measurements universally. Simple lifestyle modifications and healthy dietary habits are all one needs to cut down on the excess abdominal fat and ensure a fitted waist to hip ratio to keep health problems at bay.

We can directly link the WHR ratio to weight gain or weight loss. While it is not practical to completely change our body type, it is a good idea to maintain a low WHR ratio.

The purpose is not just aesthetic but mainly medical. Even if you decide to measure and track the ratio at home, always consult an expert before making significant lifestyle changes.

Our sleep cycles, eating patterns, exercise routines, and other demographic factors play a role. For males, it is 0. Anything above it puts one at a higher risk of health problems.

A waist to hip ratio of 0. But it is still essential that one keeps a close check on their lifestyle and dietary habits to live a healthy life. The ideal waist to hip ratio for females is between 0. While ratios between 0. The usage of corsets and waist trainers often brings the waist to hip ratios down to 0.

Such a low waist to hip ratio hampers the proper functioning of vital organs in our bodies leading to serious health issues. Ratios between 0. However, whether a person has an hourglass shape also depends on the waist to chest ratio and not just on WHR.

Usually, we consider hip sizes above 36 or 37 inches curvy and hip sizes below 34 to be a slim silhouette. Also, the waist-to-hip ratios of curvy individuals are often in the range of 0. Mathematically, the golden ratio is set at 1: 1.

Hence the golden ratio is not set as the gold standard for measuring waist to hip ratios. Instead, the ratio of 0. There is no particular hip size that is the most attractive.

Instead, hip sizes about 1. For example, for a person having a waist circumference between 24 to 28 inches, a hip size of 36 inches would be regarded as the most attractive. The ideal waist size differs from person to person based on bone structure, height, age, and gender.

However, studies show that the ideal waist size for women is less than 35 inches and that for men is less than 40 inches. Staying within this range puts one at a lower risk of developing obesity-related health problems. A person with a healthy BMI might also have excess fat stored in their abdominal region.

Waist to hip ratio is thus essential as it gives us a better idea of the amount of abdominal or visceral fats in our bodies. A waist circumference of more than 35 inches in women and a circumference of more than 40 inches in men is considered obese.

It correlates with a BMI of For any individual above 18 years of age. A BMI between Anything above Zoomi, holds Masters degree in Nutritional Sciences from University of Allahabad, qualified CBSE-UGC-NET in Home Science and pursuing PhD in Nutritional Sciences, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj.

A Strong research professional focused in Nutritional Sciences where she have more than 8 yrs of work experience in the field of Nutrition and Research, had work experience as a Dietician at Super-specialty hospitals.

Skilled in Weight Management, Hypertension, Diabetes and Micronutrient related deficiencies. Additionally, she is well-versed in biostatistics and proficient in statistical tools such as SPSS and STATA.

She is endowed with strong writing abilities and has authored her own book, more than six research papers, and six book chapters. Life Member of Nutrition Society of India, NIN, Hyderabad and participated and presented papers in four International and six National conferences.

The key to fit body is a fit mind and mental state. Your email address will not be published. Weight Loss Measuring Waist to Hip Ratio. Zoomi Singh November 26, Table of Contents Toggle.

About the Author. Related Articles.

A few years ago a popular idea was that the ideal shape was going to be androgynous,' she says. In a series of experiments, Professor Singh found that males had a clear reaction to different waist-hip ratios. In a survey of men aged 18 to 22, the favourite was a female of average weight with the classic hour-glass figure.

Not only were such women rated as young, sexy and healthy, they were also seen as ideal for childbearing. The young men regarded the underweight women - defined as women of 5ft 5in weighing less than 90lb - as 'youthful' but not particularly attractive, especially for childbearing.

And they viewed the overweight - women of 5ft 5in weighing more than lb - as unattractive, but more suitable as prospective mothers. In Professor Singh's other surveys, men of all ages agreed with these findings - thus bearing out her theory of the waist-hip ratio.

So perhaps, as well as fashion's dictates on uplift bras, we may one day see the return of the corset. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies.

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in.

Hi {{indy. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter. Please enter a valid email address.

SIGN UP. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice. Thanks for signing up to the Living Well email. More about Higher Education Playboy Magazine University Of The Arts London Weight Loss. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments.

Already subscribed? Log in. Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in.

UK Edition Change US Edition Asia Edition Edición en Español. Visit the USA Push notifications. By comparing waist circumference to hip circumference, you can get a better indication of abdominal obesity.

There is no definitive answer to this question. These recommendations, again, are based on the large body of research that has used BMI to predict cardiovascular outcomes. However, it is important to realize that, while BMI is quite good at predicting overall risk in large populations, it might not be a particularly accurate measure for a given individual.

Also, it does not specifically take into account the degree of abdominal obesity a person may have. Several studies have suggested that a measure of abdominal girth can be more accurate than BMI in predicting heart disease.

In contrast, some studies have shown an elevated waist-to-hip ratio to be a strong predictor of heart disease, especially in women. Many doctors are now relying on a combination of measures to advise patients on their weight-related risk.

And if your BMI is , unless you are a bodybuilder or other type of muscular athlete, you are almost certainly too fat. One advantage of the waist-to-hip ratio is that you can assess it yourself, without formally measuring anything, in the privacy of your own home.

Just strip down to your skivvies and look at yourself in the mirror, both head-on and in profile. To reduce that risk, your weight is something you will need to address. Being overweight is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

Coutinho T, Goel K, Corrêa de sá D, et al. Combining body mass index with measures of central obesity in the assessment of mortality in subjects with coronary disease: role of "normal weight central obesity". J Am Coll Cardiol. Zhang C, Rexrode KM, Van dam RM, Li TY, Hu FB. Abdominal obesity and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: sixteen years of follow-up in US women.

Tran NTT, Blizzard CL, Luong KN, et al. The importance of waist circumference and body mass index in cross-sectional relationships with risk of cardiovascular disease in Vietnam.

PLoS ONE. doi: Flint AJ, Rexrode KM, Hu FB, et al. Body mass index, waist circumference, and risk of coronary heart disease: a prospective study among men and women. Obes Res Clin Pract. Peters SAE, Bots SH, Woodward M. Sex differences in the association between measures of general and central adiposity and the risk of myocardial infarction: results from the UK Biobank.

J Am Heart Assoc. Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults, Jacobs EJ, Newton CC, Wang Y, et al.

Waist circumference and all-cause mortality in a large US cohort. Arch Intern Med. Jensen MD, Ryan DH, Apovian CM, et al. Moyer VA. Screening for and management of obesity in adults: U. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med.

By Richard N. Fogoros, MD Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology.

Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.