The WHR (Waist to Hip Ratio), which is the ratio of the waist circumference to the hip circumference, determines the distribution of adipose tissue in the bodies of overweight and obese people. Thanks to WHR, you can determine the type of obesity: "apple" or "pear". Use our calculator and check what type of obesity you suffer from.

WHR index , which is the result of:WHR=waist circumference: hip circumference , is also often called the so-called waist-hip ratio. Everyone who is overweight or obese is gaining weight in a different way. The WHR is therefore used to determine the distribution of excess body fat in different parts of the body, to determine the type of obesity and then to introduce appropriate treatment.

According to the WHR index, obesity is divided into two main types:

  • abdominal obesity(visceral, android) commonly known as"apple"
  • gluteal-femoral obesity(peripheral, ginoid) commonly known as"pear"

WHR indicator - how to determine the waist-hip parameters?

To determine the waist-hip parameters, an ordinary household tape measure is enough. However, to determine the WHR by gender, different places on the body are measured.

For women:

  • the waist is marked with a line halfway between the lower arch of the ribs and the upper edge of the iliac crest,
  • hips are marked by a line leading through the greatest convexity of the buttock muscles.

For men:

  • the waist is marked by the navel line,
  • of the hips are marked with a line at the upper end of the femur.

The waist and hip parameters obtained depend not only on the distribution of fat tissue in different parts of the body, but also on the width of the pelvis, as well as on the contents of the intestines and stomach. Therefore, the WHR index should be determined in the morning, after full defecation, and the results should be consulted with an obesitologist, i.e. a specialist in the treatment of overweight and obesity.

WHR indicator - how to interpret the results?

For women:

  • WHR>0.8 - this is "apple" type obesity
  • WHR<0,8 - to otyłość typu "gruszka"

For men:

  • WHR>1 - this is "apple" type obesity
  • WHR<1 - to otyłość typu "gruszka"
Important

The WHR index is NOT used:

  • upeople with normal BMI (body mass index), i.e. from 18.5 to 24.9
  • in pregnant women

"Apple" type obesity - characteristic features:

  • occurs more often in men and in women during and after menopause,
  • the distribution of adipose tissue is due to genetic factors,
  • adipose tissue accumulates not only under the skin, but mainly around the internal organs in the abdominal cavity, which makes the shoulders wide and rounded, the waist is poorly defined or not visible at all,
  • more dangerous to he alth than obesity of the "pear" type, because it increases the risk of diseases that are complications of obesity, incl. metabolic disorders and lipid metabolism disorders, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke,
  • easier to treat - excess body fat is reduced faster during slimming therapy.

"pear" obesity - characteristic features:

  • occurs more often in women, at a young age,
  • the distribution of adipose tissue is due to hormonal and genetic factors,
  • adipose tissue accumulates under the skin, mainly on the lower body: around the hips, buttocks and thighs, and often also on the calves; the upper body remains slim - the waist is medium or very cut, the shoulders are narrow and slightly sloping, in women a small bust (cup A or B),
  • less risky in terms of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, but is often associated with varicose veins, knee and hip osteoarthritis, and biliary diseases.

Obesity treatment

Overweight and obesity are treated primarily with the so-called conservative method, i.e. with the help of an appropriate reduction (slimming) diet and forms of physical activity, selected individually for each patient. Dietary treatment can be supported with drug therapy. However, in the treatment of obesity III degree, the so-called the so-called bariatric operations. The doctor decides about the choice of the type of therapy. The WHR index and the type of obesity are not the only determinants. When deciding on a therapy, the doctor also takes into account the patient's weight, his BMI (Body Mass Index) and other diseases that occur with him.

Worth knowing

There is also thethird type of obesity- the so-calledgeneralized obesity . It occurs in people who have a problem with maintaining a he althy body weight from childhood. With generalized obesity, excess body fatspreads evenly over the entire body.

You must do it

Are you looking for an obesitologist, i.e. a specialist in the treatment of overweight and obesitycertified by the Polish Society for Research on Obesity? Check out the website: www.c certacjaptbo.pl

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