Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk by measuring abdominal fat distribution.
Measure at the narrowest point, usually just above the navel.
Measure around the widest part of your buttocks.
Why WHR is superior to BMI
BMI cannot distinguish between muscle and fat, nor can it identify where fat is stored. The location of adipose tissue is critical for metabolic health.
Visceral fat (fat stored in the abdominal cavity around organs) is metabolically active. It releases inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids directly into the portal vein, driving insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This results in an "apple" body shape.
Subcutaneous fat (fat stored under the skin, often around the hips/thighs) poses significantly less metabolic risk, resulting in a "pear" body shape.
WHO Diagnostic Thresholds
Substantially increased risk of metabolic complications occurs at:
- Men: WHR ≥ 0.90
- Women: WHR ≥ 0.85