Waist to Height Ratio

Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR)

This measure focuses on waist measure and height, and has shown to be a better predictor of health risks than the BMI. The Waist to Height Ratio is calculated by dividing your waist in inches by your height in inches.

For example, if your waist circumference is 40 inches and your height is 5 ft (60 inches), your Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) is 0.67.

• 40 inches divided by 60 inches = WHtR 0.67.

Now, what does that mean?

Since high abdominal obesity has shown to increase the risk of death, even for people in the acceptable BMI range, it is important to also measure your abdominal circumference, to make sure you are in the healthy range.

According to multiple studies, you are getting in dangerous territory if your Waist to Height Ratio exceeds 0.5. In other words your waist size (in inches) should be half your height in inches or less.