Your waist-to-hip ratio reveals visceral fat distribution — the type of fat most associated with cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Men: Low risk below 0.90 | Moderate 0.90–0.99 | High risk 1.00+
Women: Low risk below 0.80 | Moderate 0.80–0.84 | High risk 0.85+
Waist-to-hip ratio measures abdominal (visceral) fat, which is stored around internal organs and is more metabolically harmful than fat stored elsewhere. High WHR is strongly associated with Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome — regardless of overall body weight.
Measure your waist at the narrowest point above the belly button, and your hips at the widest point.