stock surgery logo, click for home page

 

Drs John Coffin and David Acorn
Family Medical Practice
0844 477 3088

Keeping Healthy

Waist/Hip Ratio Calculator

 skip navigation
home staff practice information facts and figures search
self help contacts services and clinics keeping healthy site map
The best way of finding out if you need to lose weight is to measure your waist and hips and use this calculator. Researchers have found that this predicts your risk of heart disease more accurately than your BMI (body mass index, based on height and weight).

Apples and Pears
Research has shown that people with a lot of fat stored in their tummy area ("apple" shaped people) are more likely to develop heart disease than those who store fat round their bottom and thighs ("pears"). It is possible to have a high BMI and a normal waist measurement if you are a fit, lean, muscular man. This is why your waist to hip ratio is a better guide to your risk of heart disease.

The higher the ratio the greater the risk of heart disease and strokes.  

a pear, the ideal shape to keep you healthy

Current evidence is that a ratio less than 0.85 if you are a woman or 0.90 if you are a man is associated with a relatively low risk. If your ratio is greater than 1.00 you are at significant risk. This fact seems to apply whatever race you are according to research in The Lancet (4/11/05).

Please enter your waist measurement at the narrowest point between your hips and your ribs (use centimetres if possible as it's more accurate)

 

Next enter your hip measurement round the widest part of your hips (again use centimetres if possible for the best accuracy)

  

Are you

 Read the original research in the Medical Journal of Australia

[ home ] [ site map ] [ search ] [ disclaimer ] [ feedback ]

0844 477 3088 Fax 0844 477 3089

Copyright© 2001-2008 John Coffin, Stock Surgery, Common Road, Stock, Essex CM4 9NF