It is imperative to understand that it is not just the actual body weight or BMI, but the excess fat in the body (especially abdominal fat) that is linked to Obesity. Obesity has associated health risks like Metabolic Syndrome, Heart diseases, Type 2 Diabetes and PCOS. The Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) gives a better insight into the dynamics of obesity.
The Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is the ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. This is calculated as waist measurement divided by hip measurement (W ÷ H). For eg: a person with a waist measuring 90 cm and hip 100cm will have a WHR of 0.9.
How to measure:
The waist is measured simply at the smallest circumference of the natural waist, just above the belly button; the hip circumference should be measured at its widest part of the buttocks or hip, both using a non-stretch measuring tape to avoid errors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy WHR is 0.9 or less in men, 0.85 or less for women. Values above this ratio spell increased health risk in the long run. Thus the importance of a holistic approach to treat Obesity and abnormal fat deposition is highly pronounced in modern preventive modalities.
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