Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

How to Calculate Waist-to-Hip Ratio

The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement used to assess body fat distribution and potential health risks associated with abdominal obesity. It's calculated by dividing your waist circumference by your hip circumference.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio Formula

The formula for calculating WHR is:

$$WHR = \frac{Waist \text{ Circumference}}{Hip \text{ Circumference}}$$

Where both waist and hip circumferences are measured in the same units (typically centimeters or inches).

Calculation Steps

1. Measure your waist circumference at the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button
2. Measure your hip circumference at the widest part of your hips
3. Ensure both measurements are in the same unit (preferably centimeters)
4. Divide your waist circumference by your hip circumference
5. The result is your Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the WHR for a male with a waist circumference of 85 cm and a hip circumference of 95 cm.

Step 1: Apply the WHR Formula

$$\begin{align} WHR &= \frac{Waist \text{ Circumference}}{Hip \text{ Circumference}} \\ &= \frac{85 \text{ cm}}{95 \text{ cm}} \\ &= 0.895 \end{align}$$

Step 2: Interpret the Result

For males:

• WHR < 0.9: Low Risk
• 0.9 ≤ WHR < 1.0: Moderate Risk
• WHR ≥ 1.0: High Risk

A WHR of 0.895 for a male falls in the "Low Risk" category, but it's very close to the "Moderate Risk" threshold.

Interpreting Waist-to-Hip Ratio

The interpretation of WHR differs for males and females:

For Males:

• Less than 0.9: Low Risk
• 0.9 to 0.99: Moderate Risk
• 1.0 or higher: High Risk

For Females:

• Less than 0.8: Low Risk
• 0.8 to 0.84: Moderate Risk
• 0.85 or higher: High Risk

A higher WHR indicates more abdominal fat and a higher risk of obesity-related health issues.

Visual Representation

This bar chart visually represents the different Waist-to-Hip Ratio categories and their corresponding health risk levels for both males and females. The red line indicates the example WHR of 0.895, which falls in the "Low Risk" category for males, but is close to the "Moderate Risk" threshold.