| Health risk | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.80 or lower | 0.95 or lower |
| Moderate | 0.81-0.85 | 0.96-1.0 |
| High | 0.86 or higher | 1.0 or higher |
WHR is just one measure of disease risk, but it's certainly not the only one. Use it as one tool and check with a dietitian or doctor for a more fulsome health assessment.
Work out your waist-hip ratio (WHR) with this calculator tool. Your waist to hip ratio estimates the fat distribution in your body and can affect your overall health.
Practically, however, the waist is more conveniently measured simply at the smallest circumference of the natural waist, usually just above the belly button, and the hip circumference may likewise be measured at its widest part of the buttocks or hip.
Each measurement should be repeated twice; if the measurements are within 1 (cm or inch) of one another, the average should be calculated. If the difference between the two measurements exceeds 1 (cm or inch), the two measurements should be repeated.
WHR is just one measure of health—not the only aspect that matters. Before you embark on lifestyle changes, check with a doctor.