Waist-to-hip
ratio (WHR) looks at the relationship between the
differences in the measurements of your waist and hips.
Your health is affected not only by how much body fat you
have, but also by where most of the fat is located on your
body. People who tend to gain weight mostly in their hips
and buttocks have roughly "pear-shaped" figures,
while people who tend to gain weight mostly in the abdomen
have more of an "apple" shape.
If
you are "apple" shaped rather than "pear"
shaped, you are at increased risk for the health
problems associated with obesity, such as diabetes,
coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure. There is
nothing you can do to change your body type - that's
something you inherited, and have had since birth.
As long as you
avoid excess weight, being an "apple" verses a
"pear" doesn't put you at special risk - it's
just one of those things to keep in mind. And even
"pears" should take particular care to keep
their weight within normal limits, to avoid the health
problems associated with obesity.
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How do you find your waist-to-hip ratio?
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1.
With your feet together, stand straight with your
abdomen relaxed.
2.
Waist measurement
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For
Women:
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Measure the waist midway between the bottom of the
ribs and the top of the hip bones.
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For Men:
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Measure the
waist at the navel.
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(Do
not hold your breath or try to hold in your stomach as you
take the measurement.)
3.
Hip measurement
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For
Women:
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Measure at the widest point of the hips
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Men:
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Measure the hips at the tip of the hip bone.
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4.
Enter measurements into the cells below and then click on
Calculate