What is the significance of the waist-to-hip ratio measurement from a health risk perspective?
Recent data indicate that the pattern of fat distribution throughout the body is an important predictor of the health risks of obesity. Exercise scientists have classified where the fat is deposited on the body into two basic categories: male-pattern (or apples) and female-pattern (or pears). Despite their names, each type of fat pattern can occur in both sexes, although men tend to be apples and women tend to be pears. Apples characteristically deposit high amounts of fat in the abdominal and trunk regions, while pears deposit high amounts of fat in the hip, buttocks, and thigh regions. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple, yet accurate, method for determining your body fat pattern. WHR is determined by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference. Waist circumference is defined as the smallest circumference between the rib cage and belly-button. Hip circumference is defined as the largest circumference of the hip-buttocks region. Men with WHR values exceeding 1.00 ar
