Check Waist-Hip Ratio

We cannot change some risk factors even with our best efforts like our time and place of birth. Lifestyle subjects like diet and work out are the factors, which we have the most control over, and a solution to understanding our risk is not just, what our weight is. One indirect measure that is extensively used is the Body Mass Index (BMI). This formula is extensively used in research and also in the practical field and has proven a quite precise predictor of risk of illness.

Another indicator is Waist hip ratio.

This is a particular type of calculator for the human being to facilitate them find their risk of heart disease, based on waist-hip ratio and waist measurement.

To establish the fact that whether you have a healthy waist to hip ratio, use a measuring tape to scale the circumference of your hips at the visible widest part of your buttocks. Deep breathe and relax. Then measure your waist at the smaller circumference of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button. The exact point to measure waist circumference is the middle point between the upper hipbone and the uppermost border of the right iliac crest. A tape of precise measurements should be placed in the region of the abdomen at the level of this middle point and a reading taken when the tape is comfortably placed but does not compress the skin. In practice, it may be tricky for extremely overweight persons precisely palpating those bony landmarks. In that case placing the tape at the level of the belly button (Umbilicus) is recommended.

To determine the ratio, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. Both the measures should be noted in the same parameter (like both in centimeters or inches).

If the result is more than 1.0, you are considered to be at higher risk for high blood pressure, other cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease and other health problems.

These include metabolic health problems like diabetes and pancreatitis.

The WHO (World Health Organization) definition for metabolic syndrome is -

Type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or normal glucose tolerance with insulin resistance, together with two or more of the following:

Elevated blood pressure

Abdominal obesity and/or BMI >30kg/m²

Low HDL cholesterol

High triglycerides

Microalbuminuria

People with metabolic syndrome are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease equivalent to people with frank Type-II diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus).

Scientists have shown that people with "pear-shaped" bodies (who carry more weight around the hips) face less health risks than those with "orange-shaped" bodies (with more weight around the waist).

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the following waist to hip ratio to be safe-

For men- <0.90

For women- <0.80

It is possible to have a Body Mass Index that is high enough but being muscular and athletic, using the waist hip ratio can help make clear whether the extra weight may cause any health problem or not.

Waist hip ratio is not evaluated to as useful for children, people who are less than five feet tall or who possesses a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or above.