A better indicator of cardiovascular health than BMI.
Metric (Centimeters)
Imperial (Inches)
*Ensure both measurements use the same unit system.
Understanding Your Waist to Height Ratio
The Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) is a simple yet powerful screening tool for identifying potential health risks related to obesity and body fat distribution. Unlike the Body Mass Index (BMI), which only accounts for total weight relative to height, WHtR focuses on abdominal fat—the most dangerous type of fat for your heart and metabolic health.
How to Measure Correctly
Height: Stand tall against a flat wall, barefoot, and measure from the floor to the top of your head.
Waist: Measure at the midpoint between the lower rib and the top of the hip bone (usually just above the belly button). Exhale normally before taking the measurement.
Classification Table for Adults
Ratio Range
Category
Less than 0.40
Underweight / Too Slim
0.40 to 0.50
Healthy / Ideal
0.51 to 0.60
Overweight
Greater than 0.60
Obese / High Risk
Why WHtR is Better than BMI
A common rule of thumb is that your waist should be less than half your height. This measurement is often considered superior to BMI because it accounts for muscle mass. For example, an athlete might have a high BMI due to muscle weight, but a low WHtR, indicating they are healthy. Conversely, a "skinny fat" individual might have a normal BMI but a high WHtR, indicating increased risk for Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
function calculateWHtR() {
var waist = parseFloat(document.getElementById('waistValue').value);
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightValue').value);
var unit = document.getElementById('unitSystem').value;
var resultBox = document.getElementById('whtrResultBox');
var valueDisplay = document.getElementById('whtrValueDisplay');
var categoryDisplay = document.getElementById('whtrCategoryDisplay');
var adviceDisplay = document.getElementById('whtrAdviceDisplay');
if (isNaN(waist) || isNaN(height) || waist <= 0 || height <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for both waist and height.");
return;
}
var ratio = waist / height;
var category = "";
var bgColor = "";
var textColor = "#fff";
var advice = "";
if (ratio = 0.40 && ratio 0.50 && ratio <= 0.60) {
category = "Overweight";
bgColor = "#e67e22";
advice = "Your ratio indicates some excess abdominal fat. Consider incorporating more physical activity and dietary adjustments.";
} else {
category = "Obese / High Risk";
bgColor = "#c0392b";
advice = "A ratio over 0.6 is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We recommend consulting a doctor.";
}
resultBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.backgroundColor = bgColor;
resultBox.style.color = textColor;
valueDisplay.innerHTML = ratio.toFixed(2);
categoryDisplay.innerHTML = category;
adviceDisplay.innerHTML = advice;
adviceDisplay.style.color = "#fff";
}