No two people are the same, so the ideal body measurements for you may be quite different from those of your neighbor. In your quest for the ideal body, your hip to waist ratio and your body mass index are two measurements that can help you determine where you stand and set new fitness goals.
Hip to Waist Ratio
Step 1
Measure around your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Note the measurement in inches.
Step 2
Measure your waist by wrapping the tape around the slimmest portion of your abdomen, usually just above your belly button.
Step 3
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A ratio of under 0.9 for men and 0.8 for women is ideal, and a ratio above 1.0 for either men or women puts you at risk for heart disease and other weight-related conditions.
Body Mass Index
Step 1
Measure your height in inches and your weight in pounds to determine your body mass index, or BMI. Your BMI is a standard medical measurement for judging whether you're over- or underweight.
Step 2
Convert your height measurement to meters by multiplying by 0.025. Convert your weight into kg by multiplying by 0.45.
Step 3
Divide your weight in kg by your height in meters squared to get your BMI. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 indicates a normal weight. Falling over or under this range means you are overweight or underweight respectively.
Tips and Warnings
- BMI and hip to waist ratio are only rough indicators of your health. Talk to your doctor about specific measurement recommendations. Gain or lose weight the healthy way through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Scale
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