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Assessment

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)

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body-compositionwhrwaist-hipcentral-obesityrisktape

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DefinitionA short reference note, not a full lesson.
Definition

Waist circumference divided by hip circumference — a quick index of fat distribution (apple vs. pear) and cardiometabolic risk.

Detail

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) = waist circumference ÷ hip circumference. It expresses fat distribution: a higher ratio means relatively more abdominal ("apple"/android) fat, which carries greater cardiometabolic risk than lower-body ("pear"/gynoid) fat.

Measurement: measure the waist at the standard landmark (see Waist Circumference) and the hips at the widest point of the buttocks/greater trochanters, tape horizontal, snug, end of normal expiration. Divide.

WHO risk thresholds (substantially increased risk):

  • Men: > 0.90
  • Women: > 0.85
  • (BMI ≥ 30 also defines abdominal-obesity-level risk independently.)

WHR is simple and needs no special equipment, but waist circumference alone is now often preferred as a risk marker because the hip measurement adds variability and WHR can stay "normal" when both waist and hips enlarge together. Use a consistent landmark for re-tests.

Key facts

  • WHR = waist ÷ hip circumference; higher = more central (android) fat.
  • WHO increased-risk cutoffs: men > 0.90, women > 0.85.
  • Hip measured at the widest point; waist at the standard landmark.
  • Waist circumference alone is often preferred today; standardize landmarks.

Connections

Sources

Cited in text — not yet linked
WHO, "Waist Circumference and Waist–Hip Ratio: Report of a WHO Expert Consultation" (2008/2011); ACSM's Guidelines (10th/11th ed.).

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Educational content only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for individualized guidance, especially around injury, pregnancy, or medical conditions.

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Atlas Connections

Body Mass Index (BMI) & Its Limits
Weight in kg divided by height in metres squared — a fast population screen for weight status that says nothing about body fat distribution and mislabels muscular people.
Girth (Circumference) MeasurementsClosely related
Tape-measure circumferences at standardized body sites — a cheap, accessible way to track shape change over time, even when scale weight stalls.
Waist CircumferenceClosely related
A single tape measurement around the abdomen that flags central (visceral) fat — an independent cardiometabolic risk marker that BMI misses.
Fat Deposition Patterns and Sex Differences
Patterns of fat deposition are genetically unique; estrogen drives fat to women's thighs, buttocks, and breasts, while men store fat in the back, lower abdomen, and at the iliac crest.
Regional Fat Distribution and Fat Cells
Where fat sits matters — abdominal fat raises cardiovascular and Type II diabetes risk — and the number and size of fat cells govern fatness.