The waist-to-hip ratio is a measure of abdominal adiposity.
Parameters:
(1) waist circumference (at the level of the umbilicus) in cm
(2) hip circumference in cm
waist-to-hip ratio =
= (waist circumference) / (hip circumference)
Interpretation:
• Some women may have a higher hip circumference, resulting in a lower ratio for a given waist circumference.
• The risk of death increases with general and abdominal adiposity.
• In the study of Pischon et al the adjusted risk of death was 1.0 for a ratio of 0.94 in males and 0.79 in females. Higher ratios are associated with an increased risk of death.
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