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Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) measures the distribution of body fat. It can distinguish between apple and
pear body shapes and is suitable even for children over 5 years old.
Due to the limitations of the Body Mass Index (BMI) measure, it has been suggested that Waist
Circumference (WC), Waist to Hip Ratio (WHpR) or Waist to Height Ratio may be useful supplements to BMI
to identify health risks. Moody (2016)
Schneider et al. (2010) conclude that WHtR represents the best predictor of cardiovascular risk and
mortality, followed by WC and WHpR.
Ashwell et al. (2016) state that studies involving more than 300,000 adults in several ethnic groups show
the superiority of WHtR over Waist Circumference and BMI for detecting cardiometabolic risk factors in
both sexes. Dr Ashwell’s message is “Keep your waist to less than half your height.”
Our WHtR calculator uses Ashwell’s simplified ranges for both genders.
| Underweight |
below 0.40 |
| Healthy |
0.40 to 0.49 |
| Overweight |
0.50 to 0.59 |
| Obese
| Over 0.60 and above |
See also: Measuring your waist
References
2016, Ashwell M, Gibson S. Waist-to-height ratio as an indicator of ‘early health risk’: simpler and more
predictive than using a ‘matrix’ based on BMI and waist circumference BMJ Open 2016;6:e010159. Doi:
10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010159. Retrieved from http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/3/e010159
2012, Ashwell, M., Gunn, P. and Gibson, Waist-to-height ratio is a better screening tool than waist
circumference and BMI for adult cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obesity Reviews, 13: 275–286. Retrieved from https://doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00952.x
2016 December 14, Moody A., Health Survey from England 2015 Adult overweight and obesity. Retrieve from
https://digital.nhs.uk/media/30012/Health-Survey-for-England-2015-Adult-overweight-and-obesity/Any/HSE2015-Adult-obe
pdf ISBN: 978-1-78386-896-4
2010, Feb 3. Schneider HJ, Friedrich N, Klotsche J et al. The Predictive Value of Different Measures of
Obesity for Incident Cardiovascular Events and Mortality. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and
Metabolism. 2010;95:1777–1785.
