The WHR expresses the relationship between the circumference of the waist and the circumference of the hips. This index is used in the medical field to assess the bodily distribution of adipose tissue.
Simple and quick to calculate this index partially compensates for the shortcomings of the BMI.
The method of distribution of body fat correlates to the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Several studies have shown that obesity of the android or apple type (fat mass concentrated in the face, neck, shoulders and above all in the abdomen above the navel) is associated with higher levels of glycaemia, triglycerides and blood pressure .
In males, obesity of the android type prevails, while in females obesity of the gynoid or pear type prevails (fat mass concentrated in the hips, buttocks, thighs and abdomen below the navel), less dangerous to health .
According to European guidelines the waist circumference should not exceed 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women. The waist / hip ratio should be less than 0.95 for men and 0.8 for women.
HOW TO CALCULATE THE WHR
