Waist to Hip Ratio & Body Shapes

Body Shapes

We know that high amount of fat in our body is a health risk. Fat may be stored at any part of our body. For many people, it is stored in their hips and thighs, while others around the middle body. Excess fat regardless of its distribution pattern in the body has been linked to several serious medical conditions. Fat distribution is also important. In other words, our body shape is important, i.e. where we have the fat in our body.

Apple Shape Body
When we talk about body shapes, two basic body shapes may be described in addition to female body types of android, gynaeoid, thyroid and lymphatic types: apple shape and pear shape.

Apple shape body stores body fat around the middle, i.e. on abdomen, chest and surrounding internal organs, such as the heart and lungs. The apple shaped people are at the risk of lifestyle related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, certain types of cancers and gall bladder disease. People with apple shape body can lose their weight with diet and exercise.

Pear Shape Body

Pear shape body stores fat below the waistline, i.e. on hips and thighs.This fat is less risky than abdominal fat. Pear shaped women have risk of illness with the exception of arthritis. It is difficult for people with pear shape body to lose weight with diet and exercise.

Waist-Hip Ratio

Waist-to-hip ratio is a measure of fat distribution in the body. It tells about the proportion of fat stored on your body around your waist and hip.

Measure the circumference of your waist at its smallest part. Then measure the circumference of your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Divide the two values to get the waist-to-hip-ratio. You can use the following calculator.

Waist-to-hip-ratio calculator

Your Waist size inch or cm
Your Hip size inch or cm

Ideal waist-to-hip-ratio for women and men are given below according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):

women : 0.8 or less
men : 0.95 or less.

If your waist-to-hip ratio is less than 0.72, you are in the pear shaped body category. If your waist-to-hip ratio is 0.76 to 0.83, then your risk of a heart attack or coronary artery disease is 100% higher than a pear shaped women.

If you eat a healthy diet and remain physical active, then you can maintain an ideal body weight. In general, a decrease in total body weight will also result in a decrease in waist-to-hip ratio.
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