Male and Female Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator and Information
Information provided by Disabled World - Published: 2010-10-11
Waist to hip ratio calculator including information on ideal waist-hip ratio measurements for women and men.
Waist-hip ratio or Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is the ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. It is calculated by measuring the smallest circumference of the natural waist, usually just above the belly button, and dividing by the hip circumference at its widest part of the buttocks or hip. (How To Measure Your Waist Circumference Properly) The ratio is applied both to women and men.
Waist-hip ratio is used as a measurement of obesity, which in turn is a possible indicator of other more serious health conditions. Studies have found that waist circumference, not WHR, to be a good indicator of cardiovascular risk factors, body fat distribution, and hypertension in type 2 diabetes.
A WHR of 0.7 for women and 0.9 for men have been shown to correlate strongly with general health and fertility. Women within the 0.7 range have optimal levels of estrogen and are less susceptible to major diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and ovarian cancers. Men with WHRs around 0.9, similarly, have been shown to be more healthy and fertile with less prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
WHR has been found to be a more efficient predictor of mortality in seniors than waist circumference or body mass index (BMI). If obesity is redefined using WHR instead of BMI, the proportion of people categorized as at risk of heart attack worldwide increases threefold. The body fat percentage is considered to be an even more accurate measure of relative weight. Of these three measurements, only the waist-hip ratio takes account of the differences in body structure. Hence, it is possible for two women to have vastly different body mass indices but the same waist-hip ratio, or to have the same body mass index but vastly different waist-hip ratios.
To determine if you have a healthy waist to hip ratio, use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Then measure your waist at the smaller circumference of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button.
To determine the ratio, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement, or use the Waist-hip ratio calculator below.
This calculator provides a useful measure of fat distribution by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference to determine your waist-to-hip ratio.
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) states that:
- Women with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 0.8 are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution.
- Men with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 1.0 are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution.
NOTE: 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).
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- This web page is from the Disabled World Calculators and Charts section which provides: Calculators graphs and charts for weights and measures distance conversions and health and fitness charts including height to weight ratio.
- Distinctions Between Obesity and Waist-Hip Ratio
- Body Fat Percentage Calculator for Men and Women
- Height to Weight Ratio Chart
- How to Count and Calculate Calories
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