How to Compute Your Waist to Hip Ratio

For men and women, the waist to hip ratio is a fairly accurate indicator of health and wellness. For women, the ideal ratio is .8, and for men, 1.0. Any number higher than this dramatically increases the person's risk of developing of serious health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer. If you want to to find out what your waist to hip ratio is, the process is quite simple.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure your waist at or above the belly button for the best measurement.

  Stand up. Keep the measuring tape level and wrap completely around the narrowest part of your waist, usually on or slightly above your belly button. Jot down the measurement in inches.

• 2

  Place the measuring tape at the widest part of your hips for accuracy.

  Measure at the widest part of your hips, around the buttocks. Note the measurement.

• 3

  For men, a waist to hip ratio of 1.0 is ideal. For women, the ideal is 0.8.

  Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. You now have your waist to hip ratio.