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How to Calculate BMI in the Waist

Body Mass Index, also known as BMI, is a ratio that can tell you, or your doctor, about your overall health. The original BMI calculation relies solely on height and weight measurements. More information about this calculation can be found at: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5008269_how-bmi-calculated-manually.html. One thing that the standard BMI calculation does not take into account is what type of fat cells you have. The two main types of fat are subcutaneous fat, which is the fat that is found just under the skin, such as our love handles, and visceral fat, which is found deep in the abdominal cavity. Visceral fat has a greater impact on your overall health than subcutaneous fat does and affects the function of your liver (increasing likelihood of diabetes), your heart (increasing likelihood of heart disease) and your lungs (increasing likelihood of lung problems). Calculating your BMI using the waist method will give you more information about the type of fat cells that you have.

Things You'll Need

  • Mirror Washable marker (optional) Tape measure (cloth or plastic) Paper Pencil Calculator (optional)
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Instructions

  1. How to Calculate BMI in the Waist

    • 1

      The first step is to find your natural waist. With no clothing or minimal clothing, stand up straight in front of a mirror and then bend to the side. The crease that is formed on your side is where your natural waist is located. Mark this with your finger or even with a washable marker. It is much easier to do this standing in front of a mirror, but it is not necessary. A good resource for helping you find your natural waist is located at: http://www.ehow.com/how_2307504_measure-waist.html.

    • 2

      Take the tape measure and wrap it around your natural waist, identified in step 1. Keep the tape measure level as it goes around your waist; it is easy for it to droop in the back. Pull the tape measure snugly around your waist. It should fit like a comfortable waistband on an article of clothing. Note this measurement, in inches, on your paper.

    • 3

      Next you need to identify the widest part of your hips. With no clothing or minimal clothing, stand up straight in front of a mirror and identify the widest part of your hip area, usually anywhere from the just below the navel to mid-thigh. On most people, it will include the buttocks. Mark this with your finger or washable marker. A good resource for helping you measure your hips is located at: http://www.ehow.com/how_2303638_measure-hips.html.

    • 4

      Take the tape measure and wrap it around your hips, identified in step 3. Keep the tape measure level as it goes around your hips; be careful that it does not droop in the back. Pull the tape measure snugly around your hips. Do not pull the tape measure so tightly that it presses into your skin. Note this measurement, in inches, on your paper.

    • 5

      To calculate your waist-to-hip ratio, also known as WHR, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example:
      Waist: 32"
      Hips: 38"
      BMI waist to hip ratio = 32" / 38".
      BMI waist to hip ratio = 0.842105263
      0.84 is the waist to hip ratio for this example.

    • 6

      Look up your waist to hip ratio in the chart below to learn more about your overall health.

      Male Female Health Risks Based On WHR
      .95 or less .80 or less Low risk from visceral fat
      .96 to 1.0 .81 to .85 Moderate risk from visceral fat
      Greater than 1.1 Greater than .86 High risk from visceral fat

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