What's your waist-to-hip ratio?
WHO-based health risk assessment
Medical Disclaimer: This tool provides general educational estimates. Always consult your prescribing physician or healthcare provider before making medication changes or interpreting results from population-based models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Men below 0.90 and women below 0.80 are considered low risk by WHO thresholds. Above these values indicates increased cardiovascular risk.
WHR measures central fat distribution, which is more strongly linked to heart disease than BMI. The INTERHEART study confirmed WHR as a better predictor of heart attack risk.
Apple shape (high WHR, central obesity) carries greater health risk. Pear shape (lower WHR, peripheral fat distribution) is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.
Waist: measure at the narrowest point between ribs and hips (usually at the navel). Hips: measure at the widest point of the buttocks. Use a flexible tape measure while standing.
Methodology
WHR = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. WHO risk thresholds: men ≥0.90, women ≥0.85 for substantially increased health risk. Waist circumference alone is also a risk indicator: men ≥102 cm (40 in), women ≥88 cm (34.6 in).
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) measures fat distribution. WHO risk thresholds: men 0.90, women 0.85. Central obesity (apple shape) is linked to higher cardiovascular risk than peripheral fat (pear shape). The INTERHEART study found WHR in the top quintile more than doubled heart attack risk.
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