In the long run, being overweight has a negative effect on health. However, it is not only the weight itself that is important, the place where body fat accumulates has also been shown to play a decisive role. The accumulation of body fat in the abdominal region, also known as visceral fat, is considered to be very unfavourable to health. This is because messenger substances are released at this point by the fat cells. These messenger substances have a negative effect on the metabolism.
With the Waist-to-Height-Ratio (WHTR) you get a comparable value to better determine and classify your fat distribution. With our calculator you can easily calculate your personal value.
The WHTR Calculator
What is the waist to height ratio?
If you want to determine your ideal weight, you can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). With this index the body weight is put in relation to the height. The WHTR is another index to determine a possible overweight. The abbreviation WHTR stands for “waist to height ratio”. Literally translated, it is the ratio of your waist circumference to your height.
So with the WHTR, the waist circumference is set in relation to the height instead of the body weight. This makes it easier to take the distribution of body fat into account instead of just the general weight. A distinction can then be made as to whether the fat sits more at the waist or stomach or whether it is distributed more evenly over the body. Abdominal fat has been shown to be the fat with the most health risks. The WHTR can therefore be used to calculate whether the body fat and its distribution pose a health risk due to overweight or whether everything is within the healthy bounds.
Beware of confusion: In addition to the WHTR, there is another value, the waist-to-hip ratio. This is often abbreviated as WHR or sometimes also WHTR and stands for Waist-to-Hip-Ratio.
How is the WHTR calculated?
If you want to calculate your Waist-to-Height-Ratio, you need your waist circumference and your height. The circumference of the waist is measured approximately at the height of the navel. Then divide the waist circumference in centimetres by the body height in centimetres. How the result is to be classified depends on your age.
With a higher age a higher WHTR value is still in the normal range. This is mainly due to biological processes and hormonal changes that take place during the normal ageing process.
By entering your parameters into our calculator you can find out if your WHTR value for your age is still within the normal range.
How do I measure my waist circumference?
When we talk about waist circumference, we are talking about nothing else but the belly circumference. Abdominal girth can be measured relatively simply. The following should be considered when measuring the waist circumference:
- Measure your waist circumference on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning before breakfast.
- Measure on your naked stomach, undressed or upper body free.
- Relax the abdominal muscles and breathe in and out once before measuring, then hold the air briefly without pulling in or inflating the stomach.
- The waist is located in the area above the hip bone and under the first rib.
- The tape measure should not be too loose but should not cut into the waist.
The best way to measure the waist circumference is with a tape measure.
What does my WHTR result mean?
The result is considered as a function of age or gender and is classified as severe obesity, adiposity, normal weight, underweight and severe underweight.
The ideal WHTR value for people under 40 years of age is a maximum of 0.5. Anything above that falls within the range of overweight. A value between 0.57 and 0.68 is classified as obesity. A value above 0.68 is classified as severe obesity. A value below 0.40 is classified as underweight.
Since abdominal fat has been shown to have many health risks, a WHTR value in the ideal range is a good indication that your body fat distribution is in the healthy range. The WHTR is therefore also more suitable for classifying your physical condition than, for example, the Body Mass Index (BMI).
The value ranges change between 40 and 50 years, as the stature of a person changes slightly during this period due to biological processes. The upper and lower limits of the ideal WHTR value thus shift upwards by 0.01 points every year during this period. At 50 years of age, the upper limit for the ideal weight is 0.6.
The distinction of values between men and women is often neglected, as the differences are very small. For example, the limits for the ideal value of the WHTR are only a few decimal points lower for women than for men.
In order to get an even more precise overview of your physical condition, the Body Shape Index (BSI), which combines the waist circumference with the Body Mass Index (BMI), is also suitable in addition to the WHTR in order to be able to make even more precise statements about the condition of the body.
Other calculators & tools
Fitness trackers can help you determine, track and analyse your personal fitness values. Here are some of the best and most common fitness trackers:
To get even more exact values about your body, you can also use our other calculators:
- Body Mass Index Calculator
- Body Shape Index Calculator
- Calorie Calculator
- Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator
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