What is Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)?
Are You Apple-shaped or Pear-shaped? Research shows that people with "apple-shaped" bodies face more health risks than those with "pear-shaped" bodies who carry more weight around the hips and thighs. The part of your body that stores excess fat determines the shape of the body. Even if you are one of the fortunate slim, you will notice that your body has the tendency to gain weight in particular areas.
Waist-to-hip ratio is the best obesity measure for assessing the risk of heart attack in both men and women. Fat around the stomach is also related to premenstrual breast cancer, as it upsets the levels of fat circulating in the blood stream. Although nutrition is the major cause, smoking and alcohol consumption are also important factors.
With the right diet and plenty of exercise, fat stored around the stomach can be reduced more easily than the fat stored around the thighs. Losing weight is usually easier for the apple-shaped than it is for pear-shaped people because visceral fat is the easiest to lose and usually the first to go.
Calculating WHR
To calculate your waist to hip ratio, use a non-stretchable tape measure to measure the waist at its narrowest point width-wise, usually just above the belly button. Measure the hips around the widest part of the hip bones. Then divide the waist measurement by the hip measurement.
Interpreting Results
Larger waist size (which reflects the amount of abdominal fat) is harmful, whereas larger hip size (which may indicate the amount of lower body muscle) is protective. If your waist is more than 85cm (95cm for men) you need to lose weight.
Additional Reading
Check out our "books" and perhaps "pills" section for additional information on improving your health by controlling your BMI / BMR and other parameters.
