How to Calculate BMI Using Waist Hip Measurements

Excess body weight can lead to conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Measuring the body mass index, or BMI, is a popular way to determine what a person should weigh in relation to height. Measuring waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is another way to evaluate risk for obesity-related diseases. Computing waist-to-hip ratios is an easy and non-invasive way to evaluate obesity and the risk of chronic diseases. (see references 1, 2)

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Calculator

Instructions

Measure Waist to Hip Ratio

1. Place the measuring tape around the waist at the smallest point, generally between the bottom of the rib cage and the top of the hip bone.

2. Write down the waist circumference.

3. Place the measuring tape around the hips at the widest point.

4. Write down the hip circumference.

5. Divide the measurement for the waist circumference by the measurement for hip circumference to obtain the waist-to-hip ratio.

Tips & Warnings

• A ratio less than or equal to 0.8 indicates a low risk for obesity-related disease. A ratio above 0.8 is indicative of a high risk for obesity-related disease.

References

• Waist to Hip Ratio
• Body Mass Index

Resources

• Waist to Hip Ratio