How to Measure the Frontal Waist-Hip Ratio

Waist to hip ratio is a indicator of health and attractiveness. People with high waist to hip ratio tend to have a pear-shaped body with more body fat stored in the abdominal area. Similarly, people with a low waist to hip ratio tend to store fat in the buttocks and the legs, which gives them an apple-shaped body. Scientific research shows that apple-shaped people are at lower risk of heart disease than pear-shaped people. It appears that not only do men display a sexual preference for women with low waist to hip ratio, but are also good at gauging the ratio in women with just a brief look.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tape
• Calculator

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Instructions

• 1

  Stand erect, relax and keep your legs together. Measure the circumference of your waist where it's the narrowest using a measuring tape. Generally, the smallest circumference lies slightly above the navel. For example, 90 centimeters in circumference.

• 2

  Measure the circumference of your hips at the widest spot.Generally, the area over the buttocks has the widest circumference. For example, 120 centimeters in circumference.

• 3

  Divide the circumference of waist by that of hip using a calculator. In this example, the waist to hip ration is 90/120, which equals 0.75. A ratio of 0.7 is considered good for women and that of 0.8 is considered good for men.