Waist and Hip Measurements

Waist and Hip Measurements

There are a number of factors that can help you estimate your risk for health problems like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.

There are those risk factors that you can’t change, like your family history or gender. Lifestyle issues like exercise and diet are the factors over which you have the most control, and one factor in understanding your risk extends beyond watching your weight.

One indirect measure that is often used is the Body Mass Index (BMI). There’s a BMI calculator on Livestrong.com. This calculation is widely used in research, and has proven a fairly accurate predictor of one's risk of illness.

Another measurement that researchers often look at is the Waist to Hip Ratio, or WHR. This is calculated by dividing the measurement around your waist by the measurement around your hips. If the result is over 1.0, you are considered to be at much higher risk of heart disease and other health problems.

A goal for men would be a waist circumference of less than 40 inches and a WHR of under 0.9. For women, the optimum measure is a waist under 36 inches and a WHR of less than 0.8.

Researchers have called having a high WHR the “apple” shape, because weight is centered in the abdomen. People who are apple-shaped are at higher risk than those with their weight centered in their hips (also known as “pear” shaped).

Numerous studies have shown high WHR to be a very accurate predictor of such illness. With my patients, I prefer to discuss both of these measurements. Because it is possible to have a high Body Mass Index but still be athletic and healthy, using the WHR can help clarify whether the extra weight is unhealthy or not.

Timothy S. Harlan, M.D., a.k.a. Dr. Gourmet
Drgourmet.com