Waist/Hip Ratio

According to my waist/hip ratio, I'm in the unacceptable range! Apparently .80 or below is considered acceptable, but my ratio is .815. 

Am I really unhealthier than those with a waist/hip ratio of under .80?? My BF% is under 18%. My BMI is between 21-22. I'm in fantastic shape. But my measurements are hips 32.5in, waist 26.5in, and chest 34in. 

Does this mean I need to lose weight in my waist? Ughh I really don't want to have to lose weight. I really don't have very much fat at all in my stomach, so I guess I need to stop lifting so I can lose muscle. 

I just can't believe I'm in the unacceptable range. I've always been in great health. It's just kind of a bummer to realize that I'm not as healthy as I thought. 

Btw, here's the website with the waist/hip ratio chart I was using:

http://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/WHR .htm

Hi Jcl....hows everything going?

I'm not sure, but have you measured your hips correctly?

I was measuring mine wrong for ages thinking I was measuring the widest part, but the tape measure should fall (mind the rude bits) right across the pubic bone and around your buttocks? When I finally got the measurement right I found a whole couple of inches difference so maybe you are closer to 34 in the hips?

 Your pics suggest u may be an apple (like myself), but I reakon you look more hourglass than I do (shrug). My measurements are  Waist 27.5 (so a whole inch more than you), Hips 35.25. This gives me a WHR of .78.  

hey peasmum thanks for the response! 

Honestly, I'm not sure about the hip measurements. I got these done back in June by a personal trainer at the gym, and I can't remember if she did it over the widest part or not. I'll redo them myself tomorrow when I wake up....I have a big butt :)

And actually, I'm thinking my waist may have actually increased since then. I've definitely gotten more muscle definition in my abs, so it's likely my waist has gotten bigger. 

I've always considered myself a banana - haha. I'm pretty straight (but somehow I manage to have big boobs). 

hope youre doing well too :) :) 

Interesting. The last measurements I took had me at 29 w and 39 hips giving me a waist to hip ratio of .75 I find it hard to beleive I'm in better shape than you. Women are just built differently, with th whole apple/hourglass/pear/ shaping. I say if everything else is in order, BMI, Body Fat etc then you're good.  By the way I'd love to have abs like yours, screw the waist/hip ratio.

Mmm, take it with a pinch of salt. Your w/h ratio is higher because your hips are very narrow. I think the test is supposed to indicate that individuals with excess adipose in their midriff are at higher risk of developing heart disease. You have little to no fat in your midsection, so I think you can relax.

Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is just one of many health indicators.  Those of us with high WHR need to keep a closer eye on our weight than those with low WHR.  As long as we keep our waist measurement in a healthy range (under 35" - though under 30" is better), we're fine.  We just have itty bitty hips - and that's not a bad thing! 

your waist to hip ratio is just indicating that you are apple shaped (pear shape ppl carry there weight on there hips, therefore find it harder to lose weight of their hips) if you try to lose more weight you'll prob lose from your hips first...the calculator is just saying that you tend to carry more of your weight in your mid-section and less on your hips, which means a higher "risk" of heart disease but if your waist is under 35" (33" on some websites) for a women then you have nothing to worry about!

p.s i would love to have a 26.5in waist!

If that's you in your profile pic, this test is definitely not applicable to you! There is danger in having body fat in the midsection because it's linked to an increased risk of heart disease. I heard that women with a waist measuring more than 35 inches (despite hip measurement) are advised to lose fat. I don't think you're at risk here!

I'm also apple-shaped and have a WHR of .83. I've always wondered why these stats aren't adjusted for us apples. I, too, have a healthy BMI. I just wonder how much to worry? Do I have a fatty omentum, despite a good BMI/weight? I get lots of exercise and eat a good diet. I just don't want to look healthy but have my heart be a ticking time bomb. I guess WHR is just a generalization?

Okay, so this is what I've concluded. The BMI is unfair for pears and hourglass shapes. The waist/hip ratio is unfair to apple and banana shapes. 

So I'm assuming BF% is the best way to determine someone's health? What do yall think?

Oh, and I'm definitely not an apple. Even when I was 15lbs heavier, my stomach was always disproportionately small. My stomach is actually the last place to gain weight. I think I'm just considered a banana because it's not that my waist and chest are big - it's just that my hips are small. 

Original Post by jcl76:

Okay, so this is what I've concluded. The BMI is unfair for pears and hourglass shapes. The waist/hip ratio is unfair to apple and banana shapes. 

So I'm assuming BF% is the best way to determine someone's health? What do yall think?

 The problem with BMI is that it doesn't account for body shape at all, just height and weight on a scale. That's why it's a general guideline only. Therefore, BF% is probably the best indicator of whether a person is overfat or not.

I am 5'2 and 176 pounds, waist 32, hips 44, i believe that puts me below the .70, and I am alot of solid weight but by no means do i consider myself in a healthy range thats why im here.

Jcl,I think you might have measured your hips wrong...but if not...you look super-fit and that is what counts...

my waist is 27,5 inches and my hips are 37 inches...I want to slim down to 25/26 inches at my waist so I can have a waist-to-hip ratio of 0,70...

I always thought that ratio applied to those who had a high BF%. And by high, I mean over 30% for women. I figure if you have a high BF%, and you tend to carry weight in your middle, then you're at a higher risk for certain diseases. Obv, you don't have a high BF%, and you don't carry excess weight in your middle, so I wouldn't worry about it.

28/38   but at 5'3" I need to lose a couple if inches