Body Mass Index, or BMI, has usually been the Index upon which your health risks are assessed. However, this can be problematic for athletes or fit/muscled people since it puts them in the overweight to obese charts, since the BMI is calculated based on weight and height. A recent intriguing article I found on Livestrong.com issues info about research surrounding WtHR or Waist to Height Ratio as being more accurate.
Since stomach body fat can be more dangerous and cause the release of hormones which contribute to diabetes and many other maladies, this could be a better predictor of health.
“WHR
The WHtR is calculated by dividing waist size by height, and takes gender into account. As an example, a male with a 32 inch waist who is 5′10″ (70 inches) would divide 32 by 70, to get a WHtR of 45.7 percent. The WHtR is thought to give a more accurate assessment of health since the most dangerous place to carry weight is in the abdomen. Fat in the abdomen, which is associated with a larger waist, is metabolically active and produces various hormones that can cause harmful effects, such as diabetes, elevated blood pressure, and altered lipid (blood fat) levels.
Many athletes, both male and female, who often have a higher percentage of muscle and a lower percentage of body fat, have relatively high BMIs but their WHtRs are within a healthy range. This also holds true for women who have a “pear” rather than an “apple” shape.
The following chart helps you determine if your WHtR falls in a healthy range (these ratios are percentages):
WOMEN
• Ratio less than 35: Abnormally Slim to Underweight
• Ratio 35 to 42: Extremely Slim
• Ratio 42 to 46: Healthy
• Ratio 46 to 49: Healthy
• Ratio 49 to 54: Overweight
• Ratio 54 to 58: Seriously Overweight
• Ratio over 58: Highly Obese
MEN
• Ratio less than 35: Abnormally Slim to Underweight
• Ratio 35 to 43: Extremely slim
• Ratio 43 to 46: Healthy
• Ratio 46 to 53: Healthy, Normal Weight
• Ratio 53 to 58: Overweight
• Ratio 58 to 63: Extremely Overweight/Obese
• Ratio over 63: Highly Obese”
- Area in quotes excerpt from Livestrong.com
I highly recommend that you check your ratio!
