How to Calculate your Waist-to-Hip Ratio

People who tend to accumulate fat around their midsection are more likely to develop conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes than those who gain weight around their hips and thighs. Follow these simple steps to find out whether you are at risk for weight-related health conditions.

STEPS:

1. Stand with your stomach relaxed.

2. Find the narrowest point at your waist and measure. Write down the measurement.

3. Find the widest point of your hips and buttocks and measure. Write down this measurement.

4. Divide the calculation from step 2 by the calculation from step 3. This is your waist -to-hip ratio.

Or use the Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator

For weight to be considered healthy, women should have a waist-to-hip ratio of less than 0.8. A healthy waist-to-hip ratio for men is less than 0.9. If you have a ratio that is higher that that, you may have an increased risk for weight-related health conditions.

Improving your exercise habits and diet can help keep this ration down--and decrease your risk of weight related diseases.