Waist-to-Height Ratio
A simpler proxy for cardiometabolic risk than BMI.
"Keep your waist under half your height"
Bands
- < 0.40: lower than typical
- 0.40–0.49: healthy
- 0.50–0.59: increased cardiometabolic risk
- ≥ 0.60: high risk
Waist-to-height ratio is a simple proxy for central body fat. A 2010 meta-analysis found it predicts diabetes and heart disease risk better than BMI. Measure waist at the natural narrowest point, after a normal exhale. Same units for both numbers.
About
Measure your waist at the natural narrowest point. Enter waist and height. Get the ratio and the band you fall into. Below 0.5 (waist under half your height) is considered healthy.
How to use
- Measure waist at the narrowest point.
- Enter waist and height.
- Read the ratio.
FAQ
Why is this better than BMI?+
BMI doesn't distinguish fat from muscle and ignores where the fat is. Waist-to-height captures central (visceral) fat, which is the kind that drives metabolic disease. A 2010 meta-analysis found WHtR predicts diabetes and heart disease risk better than BMI.
How do I measure waist?+
Stand relaxed, exhale normally, wrap a tape measure around the natural narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Don't suck in.