The Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a measure of body shape and fat distribution that describes the ratio of the circumference of the waist to the circumference of the hips. This ratio is commonly used to assess how fat is distributed in the body, particularly the distribution of fat between the waist and hips.
Calculating the WHR is straightforward: you measure the waist circumference and the hip circumference, and then divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement. Typically, measurements are taken in centimeters or inches.
The WHR provides information about body health. In general, a lower WHR indicates that fat is distributed more around the hips, which is often associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. A higher WHR suggests that fat is distributed more around the waist, which is often associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, the WHR can be used as an indicator of health risk.
For adults, ideal WHR values are generally considered to be below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women. However, these standards may vary due to individual differences and cultural variations, so specific health recommendations should be determined after discussing with a healthcare professional.