Staying Healthy
Waist-to-hip ratio better than BMI in predicting future health issues
In the journals
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
A person's waist-to-hip ratio may be a better tool than body mass index (BMI) for predicting chronic health problems, according to a study published online Sept. 20, 2023, by JAMA Network Open.
Waist-to-hip ratio is the circumference of your waist divided by the circumference at your hips. For the study, waist circumference was measured at the smallest natural waistline (usually near the belly button) and hip circumference at the widest part of the hips. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
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