Tell me your waist-hip ratio- shocked.

[waistnhips]

I've always considered myself slim as my BMI is 19.4, and I'm a size 10. But was doing some calculations yesterday and found my shape puts me inthe apple category- and at risk of heart disease, diabetes etc.

I've been battling with a few inches round my waist for some time - used to be 24 inches when i was 21, now a whopping 29. My hips are 35-35 so this makes my ratio 0.82 (Divide waist by hips.)

Evidently anything over 8 is the danger zone, and 0.75 is the Marilyn Monroe desirable figure.

I am now trying to lose 3-4 lbs that will take me back to where I ought to be.

0.71 (26/36.5)

I think as with BMI these things are just a guideline and obviously people have naturally different shapes. If you're confident you are as fit and healthy as you want to be, then great, but it's just something to be aware of.

I know my ratio is 0.7 (which is also the ideal ratio on an aesthetic level, apparently). (24.5/35)

I'm a classic hourglass shape, albeit a size 4-6 one - am curvy in the true sense of the word. When I gain weight, it always going onto my hips and thighs although my stomach is flatter than flat. My mother also gained weight in the same way and we measured the same too although she was pair-shaped.
Both my sisters are classic apple shapes although both are also the same dress size as me. However, both of them are far healthier dietwise and exercise far far more than I do, more regularly too and am pretty certain both have far lower body fat than me too, so I don't think what to make of all this tbh.

I also have a low BMI but again, I will dispute it's a sign of healthiness in me. And besides, doesn't muscle weigh more than fat? I know if I was fitter, I'd weigh more too. Hmm.

My waist is 28.5 inches, my hips are 44 inches.

This means I am perfectly healthy, desirably healthy.

Which is of course a load of giant arsebollocksing-cockshite as I'm 5ft tall and 14 stone

I just happen to have a very hourglass figure, and it does mean that my internal fat must be outrageously high.

My waist to hip ratio is 0.68 - but I am not skinny by any stretch of the imagination. Think Nigella Lawson & you won't be far wrong. I think there has to be more to health than your waist to hip ratio!

skyfell Do not read this: In 1985 a size 12 had a 26" waist, and given that sizes go up in 2" increments, a 36" waist was actually a size 22.

Of course there is never going to be one single metric that tells you definitively whether or not you are 'healthy'. It's a reasonably good indicator for certain health risks though.

Lthewife so long as your waist measures below 32" there would be no health benefits to be gained from lowering your WHR. If you fall into the "light" apple category (they seem to suggest anyone with a waist of less than 32") you're fine because you're light . It's only once the waist measures over 32" that you may be at risk of excess fat around the organs if your WHR is 8.0 or above.

I'd love to believe this- but where is your evidence? Nothing I have read says the WHR applies only to women with waists over 32.

What makes you think this?

My waist measurement is a great big sick joke. I'm not sure where to find my hips.

From the Lancet

Waist-to-hip ratio shows a graded and highly significant association with myocardial infarction risk worldwide. Redefinition of obesity based on waist-to-hip ratio instead of BMI increases the estimate of myocardial infarction attributable to obesity in most ethnic groups.

0.89 (waist 33, hips 37). I'm doomed

I'm also a light apple at 5ft 6 and approx 8 1/2 stone.
But my waist is 30" and my hips 36" making my ratio 8.3, so am also in the danger zone according to this, despite my BMI being around 19.
I would find it hard to lose more weight without getting gaunt and I do lots of exercise, so I must be doomed too....

Mine is 0.73 - waist 27 inches and hips 37 inches. Am 5 foot 4 and about 9 stone or so.

Can never manage to find jeans that fit....

Waist 26 inches, hips 38 so ratio 0.68.

For full disclosure, I am 5 foot 7 tall, weigh 9 stone, dress size 8.

However, as other posters have commented, I don't think you need to worry about this ratio unless you are overweight. If you are a normal weight, and eat healthily and exercise I don't think you have any reason to be concerned.

I thought I was curvy but you gals are making me feel as curvy as a brick.

Where do you buy trousers?

Trousers are a nightmare. I have to sew darts into every single pair of trousers I possess. My waist has thickened slightly since having children, but still not enough to get away without darting all trousers. I have to do some skirts too.

Don't really wear trousers, although do have a couple of pairs of M&s jeggings that fit. Things with stretch tend to fit but tailored trousers gape at the waist at the back.
Tend to wear mainly dresses, with thick tights or leggings in winter. Dresses are generally a bit big at the waist so I either get the sewing machine out and alter them or wear a waist belt.

I'm not going to disclose my numbers, but until I had children, even though I was in the 'obese' category for BMI, I still had a respectable waist to hip ratio. I have a natural hourglass shape.

I weigh the same as pre-children, so still obese, but now don't have a waist as it's all loose skin and expansion.

my stats sound like a JOKE. 33 -29- 38

don't know what my hip to ratio is but it's not the 70% ratio.

btw, although men may be attracted to big hips in relation to small waist, a better indicator of HEALTH is the waist to height ratio which shouldn't be more than 48%. I think mine is exactly 48% yikes. sailing close to the wind there.

And athough i'm short the good thing about that formula is taht it cuts tall people a bit more slack! that seems only sensible. why should a woman of 5'11" be under pressure (medical or fashion) to have same waist as a woman of 5'1"

Does anyone have good info on where to measure waist and hips? Is it just thinnest = waist and thickest = hips? My thinnest point is considerably higher than a waist band usually sits (even on high waisted trousers) but I'm not sure if that counts as my waist.

Either way my numbers don't look that great....

Banananananananana I think it means your natural waist, so where you are thinnest.

I am 8st, 5ft2 and size 8, but straight as a die, no curves, no waist, no hips, so a 0.82- I go running regularly, at least 12 miles a week, and circuits and yoga, but nothing gives me a waist !!!! Bugger

Waist is generally considered an inch above your belly button- not high up your rib cage- that's cheating!

I'm not onto my rib cage - but def more than an inch above my tummy button.