Written By: Gloria Tsang, RD
Title: Founding Registered Dietitian
Alumni: University of British Columbia
Last Updated on:
Waist to Hip Ratio Calculator
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a key health indicator that measures the distribution of body fat. Healthcare professionals use WHR to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health conditions related to fat distribution. This Waist to Hip calculator was created based on guidelines from the following sources:
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
A WHR below 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men is considered healthy, indicating a balanced fat distribution. Staying within this range suggests a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and other health concerns related to central obesity.
Health Risk Categories
For Women:
- 0.80 or lower: Low health risk
- 0.81 to 0.85: Moderate health risk
- 0.86 or higher: High health risk
For Men:
- 0.95 or lower: Low health risk
- 0.96 to 1.0: Moderate health risk
- 1.0 or higher: High health risk
Disclaimer: This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a registered dietitian or other qualified healthcare professionals if you have questions about your health or nutritional needs.
Sources
HealthCastle has strict sourcing guidelines. We reference peer-reviewed studies, scientific journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity.
- World Health Organization. Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation. World Health Organization, 2011, https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/44583. ↩︎
- Health Canada. “Canadian Guidelines for Body Weight Classification in Adults.” Canada.ca, 8 July 2025, https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/healthy-weights/canadian-guidelines-body-weight-classification-adults/questions-answers-professionals.html ↩︎
- National Cancer Institute. “Waist to Hip Ratio, Waist Circumference.” Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/brp/research/group-evaluated-measures/adopt/waist-to-hip. Accessed 8 July 2025. ↩︎
Alumni: University of British Columbia – Gloria Tsang is the author of 6 books and the founder of HealthCastle.com, the largest online nutrition network run by registered dietitians. Her work has appeared in major national publications, and she is a regularly featured nutrition expert for media outlets across the country. The Huffington Post named her one of its Top 20 Nutrition Experts on Twitter. Gloria’s articles have appeared on various media such as Reuters, NBC & ABC affiliates, The Chicago Sun-Times, Reader’s Digest Canada, iVillage and USA Today.
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