Waist Hip Ratio Calculator

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Waist-Hip Ratio Calculator

Use this calculator to determine your Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) and assess your health risk based on body fat distribution.


function calculateWHR() { var waist = parseFloat(document.getElementById('waistCircumference').value); var hip = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hipCircumference').value); var genderMale = document.getElementById('genderMale').checked; var genderFemale = document.getElementById('genderFemale').checked; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('whrResult'); resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results if (isNaN(waist) || isNaN(hip) || waist <= 0 || hip <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter valid positive numbers for both waist and hip circumference.'; return; } if (hip === 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Hip circumference cannot be zero.'; return; } var whr = waist / hip; var riskCategory = ''; var advice = ''; if (genderFemale) { if (whr = 0.80 && whr = 0.85 riskCategory = 'High Risk'; advice = 'This indicates a higher risk of health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.'; } } else if (genderMale) { if (whr = 0.95 && whr = 1.00 riskCategory = 'High Risk'; advice = 'This indicates a higher risk of health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.'; } } else { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please select your gender.'; return; } resultDiv.innerHTML = '

Your Waist-Hip Ratio: ' + whr.toFixed(2) + '

' + 'Risk Category: ' + riskCategory + " + " + advice + "; } .waist-hip-ratio-calculator { font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 25px; border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); max-width: 600px; margin: 30px auto; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } .waist-hip-ratio-calculator h2 { color: #333; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; font-size: 28px; } .waist-hip-ratio-calculator p { color: #555; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 15px; } .calculator-form .form-group { margin-bottom: 18px; } .calculator-form label { display: block; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #444; font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; } .calculator-form input[type="number"] { width: calc(100% – 22px); padding: 12px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 6px; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; transition: border-color 0.3s ease; } .calculator-form input[type="number"]:focus { border-color: #007bff; outline: none; box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(0, 123, 255, 0.2); } .calculator-form input[type="radio"] { margin-right: 8px; vertical-align: middle; } .calculator-form input[type="radio"] + label { display: inline-block; margin-right: 20px; font-weight: normal; } .waist-hip-ratio-calculator button { background-color: #007bff; color: white; padding: 13px 25px; border: none; border-radius: 6px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 18px; display: block; width: 100%; margin-top: 25px; transition: background-color 0.3s ease, transform 0.2s ease; } .waist-hip-ratio-calculator button:hover { background-color: #0056b3; transform: translateY(-2px); } .calculator-result { margin-top: 30px; padding: 20px; background-color: #e9f7ef; border: 1px solid #d4edda; border-radius: 8px; text-align: center; font-size: 17px; color: #155724; } .calculator-result h3 { color: #007bff; margin-top: 0; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; } .calculator-result p { margin-bottom: 8px; color: #333; } .calculator-result strong { color: #0056b3; }

Understanding Your Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR)

The Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a quick and simple measurement that can provide valuable insights into your overall health and potential risks associated with body fat distribution. Unlike Body Mass Index (BMI), which only considers overall weight relative to height, WHR specifically looks at the proportion of fat stored around your waist compared to your hips. This distinction is crucial because where your body stores fat can be a significant indicator of health risks.

Why is WHR Important?

Research has shown that carrying excess fat around your waist (an "apple" shape) is associated with a higher risk of various health problems than carrying fat around your hips and thighs (a "pear" shape). This is because visceral fat, the fat stored deep within the abdominal cavity surrounding organs, is metabolically more active and can release substances that increase the risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Stroke
  • Certain types of cancer

Therefore, a higher WHR generally indicates a greater accumulation of visceral fat, signaling a higher health risk.

How to Measure Your Waist and Hip Circumference Accurately

To get the most accurate WHR, follow these steps:

  1. Waist Measurement: Stand upright and breathe out normally. Measure around the smallest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button. Ensure the tape measure is snug but not compressing your skin.
  2. Hip Measurement: Stand with your feet together. Measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks. Again, ensure the tape measure is snug but not tight.
  3. Units: Use the same units (centimeters or inches) for both measurements.

Interpreting Your WHR Results

The interpretation of WHR varies slightly between men and women due to natural differences in body fat distribution. Here are the general guidelines:

For Women:

  • WHR less than 0.80: Low health risk.
  • WHR between 0.80 and 0.84: Moderate health risk.
  • WHR of 0.85 or greater: High health risk.

For Men:

  • WHR less than 0.95: Low health risk.
  • WHR between 0.95 and 0.99: Moderate health risk.
  • WHR of 1.00 or greater: High health risk.

Examples of WHR Calculation and Interpretation

Example 1: Healthy Female

  • Waist Circumference: 70 cm
  • Hip Circumference: 90 cm
  • Calculation: 70 / 90 = 0.78
  • Interpretation: A WHR of 0.78 for a female falls into the "Low Risk" category, indicating a healthy fat distribution.

Example 2: Moderate Risk Male

  • Waist Circumference: 98 cm
  • Hip Circumference: 100 cm
  • Calculation: 98 / 100 = 0.98
  • Interpretation: A WHR of 0.98 for a male falls into the "Moderate Risk" category. This suggests a need to monitor health and consider lifestyle changes.

Example 3: High Risk Female

  • Waist Circumference: 90 cm
  • Hip Circumference: 100 cm
  • Calculation: 90 / 100 = 0.90
  • Interpretation: A WHR of 0.90 for a female falls into the "High Risk" category, indicating a significant accumulation of abdominal fat and increased health risks. Professional medical advice is recommended.

Limitations of WHR

While WHR is a valuable tool, it's important to remember its limitations:

  • Not for everyone: It may not be accurate for children, pregnant women, or individuals with very high BMI (over 35).
  • Muscle mass: It doesn't differentiate between fat and muscle, so very muscular individuals might have a higher WHR without increased health risks.
  • Individual variation: Health risks are complex and influenced by many factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle. WHR is one piece of the puzzle.

Always consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive health assessment and personalized advice based on your individual circumstances.

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