Waist-Hip Ratio: An Important Indicator for a Healthy Life

Waist-Hip Ratio

Waist-to-hip ratio is the circumference of the waist divided by the circumference of the hips. It has traditionally been used as a simple method to assess body fat distribution, identifying individuals with higher and harmful amounts of abdominal fat. As the Waist-Hip ratio increases, the health risk increases and risk standards vary according to age and gender.

Effects of Waist-Hip Ratio on Health

Waist-hip ratio gives information about excess fat accumulation in the abdominal area. There are waist and hip circumference ratio value ranges determined by experts.These spaces give an idea about your health risk. Fat accumulation in the abdominal area is associated with diseases such as heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes and fatty liver.

Measurement and Evaluation of Waist Hip Ratio

Waist and hip circumference are measured in cm and waist circumference is divided by hip circumference. The resulting rate is placed in the space in the risk table and the risk level is found.

Things to consider during measurement

– All measurements should be made with a flexible but inelastic measure.

– The tape should be placed on the skin surface without compressing the subcutaneous fat tissue.

– If a Gulick spring handle is used, the handle should be extended to the same mark in each attempt.

– Take double measurements at each site and if these double measurements are not within 5 mm it should be retested.

– Turn between measurement zones or allow time for the skin to regain normal tissue.

How To Measure Waist Circumference?

– Open your feet shoulder-width and stand upright.

– It is measured by a simple method by wrapping the tape measure around the navel.

– Do not pull your abdomen in while taking the measurement and doing it normally.

 

How to Measure Hip Circumference?

– Open your feet shoulder-width and stand upright.

– When viewed from sideling, it should be measured around the fullest part of your hips  using a tape measure based on the widest zone of your hips.

Example Waist-Hip Ratio Calculation

Example: Assumed that the waist circumference is 80 cm and hip circumference is 100 cm.

 

Waist-Hip Ratio = Waist Circumference/Hip Circumference

= 80 cm / 100 cm

= 0.8