Calculate your WHR - a better indicator of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone, especially for South Asians with abdominal obesity.
| WHR | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| < 0.85 | Low risk |
| 0.85 – 0.89 | Moderate risk |
| 0.90 – 0.99 | High risk |
| ≥ 1.00 | Very high risk |
| WHR | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| < 0.75 | Low risk |
| 0.75 – 0.79 | Moderate risk |
| 0.80 – 0.85 | High risk |
| > 0.85 | Very high risk |
The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a simple measurement used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess abdominal obesity and cardiovascular risk. Calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference, WHR is considered a more reliable predictor of heart disease risk than Body Mass Index (BMI) alone. WHO thresholds define high risk as WHR above 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women, regardless of overall body weight.
Research published in the Indian Heart Journal and studies from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) consistently show that South Asians, including Indians, tend to accumulate abdominal fat at lower BMI values than Western populations. This "thin-fat Indian" phenomenon means Indians face higher metabolic risk at seemingly normal body weights. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends WHR screening as part of routine health check-ups for adults over 30. Urban Indians in cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi show particularly high prevalence of central obesity due to sedentary lifestyles and dietary patterns.
Waist circumference is measured at the narrowest point between the lower rib and the hip bone, while hip circumference is measured at the widest point of the hips. Measurements should be taken in the morning before eating, using a flexible non-elastic tape. This calculator accepts both centimetre and inch inputs and instantly classifies your risk level using WHO standards.