A simple WHO-endorsed measure of central fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio compares the circumference of the waist to that of the hips, revealing whether fat is stored centrally (apple shape) or peripherally (pear shape). Central fat is metabolically active and strongly associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
| Sex | Low | Moderate | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | <0.90 | 0.90–0.99 | ≥1.0 |
| Women | <0.80 | 0.80–0.84 | ≥0.85 |