| WtHR | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Less than 0.4 | Take Care (possibly underweight) |
| 0.4 - 0.49 | Healthy, No Action Needed |
| 0.5 - 0.59 | Consider Action |
| ≥ 0.6 | Take Action |
What does this mean for you?
Healthy result:
A Waist to Height ratio (WtHR) of 0.4 - 0.49 is considered to be within the healthy range. Maintaining your waist circumference around this range is likely to reduce the risk of obesity-related health issues. A good tip to remember is to aim to keep your waist circumference to less than half your height!
| Category | Children | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight | BMI <5th percentile of age | <18.5 kg/m2 |
| Normal weight | BMI ≥5th to 85th percentile of age | 18.5-22.9 kg/m2 |
| Overweight | BMI ≥85th to 95th percentile of age | 23-24.9 kg/m2 |
| Obesity | BMI ≥95th percentile of age | |
| Obesity grade 1 | 25-29.9 kg/m2 | |
| Obesity grade 2 | 30-34.9 kg/m2 | |
| Obesity grade 3 | >35 kg/m2 |
References
- Browning LM, et al. A systematic review of waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for the prediction of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: 0·5 could be a suitable global boundary value. Nutr Res Rev. 2010;23(2):247-269.
- Ashwell M, et al. Charts based on body mass index and waist-to-height ratio to assess the health risks of obesity: a review. Open Obes J.2011; 3:78-84.
- Madhu SV, Nitin K, Sambit D, et al. ESI clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of obesity in India. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2022;26(4):295-318. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.356236. PMID: 36185955
IN24OB00092, December 2024