Related Terms

• Adiposity, apple-shape, body surface area, BMI, BMI calculator, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, fat distribution, head circumference-for-age, high cholesterol, hips, lean body mass, metabolic syndrome, obese, obesity, overweight, pear-shape, stature-for-age, underweight, waist, waist circumference, weight-for-age and weight-for-length percentiles, WHR.

Background

• Body mass index: Body mass index (BMI) is a tool for indicating weight status in adults. It is a measure of weight for height. For adults over 20 years old, BMI falls into one of these categories: Below 18.5 (underweight), 18.5-24.9 (normal), 25.0-29.9 (Overweight) and 30.0 and above (obese). BMI correlates with body fat; BMI does not measure body fat. The relation between fatness and BMI differs with age and gender.

• Waist to hip ratio: Waist to hip ratio (WHR) is the circumference of the waist (smallest part of the torso, usually slightly above the navel) divided by the circumference of the hips (largest part of the buttocks). This ratio may indicate body fat distribution and obesity and potentially the risk for certain diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.

Theory/Evidence

• Body mass index: Body mass index (BMI) is a widely accepted measurement that has been correlated with risk of developing disease. Adult BMI may also be related to child BMI and adiposity, but it is possible that the magnitude of this association dependson the relative fatness of children. It is unclear, however, whether certain disease precede increased BMI or vice versa. For instance, asthma development may be a point on the trajectory of chronic obesity disease or asthma may appear with obesity as a concurrent disorder.

• Waist to hip ratio: Research has indicated that body shape may be related to an increased risk of certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol. An "apple-shape" (weight carried primarily around the waist) seems to have a higher risk of these diseases than a "pear-shape" (weight carried primarily around the hips.) These shapes can be defined by comparing waist circumference to hip circumference, or waist-hip ratio (WHR).

Charts and Calculators

• Body mass index (adults): English: 703 x [Weight in pounds/(Height in inches) x (Height in inches)]. Metric: [Weight in kilograms/(Height in meters) x (Height in meters)].

• Body mass index (children): The formula for adult BMI can be used with children, although the results are interpreted differently. BMI charts showing percentiles are used with children 2-20 years of age. Related growth charts include head circumference-for-age (infants 0-36 months), weight-for-length percentiles (infants 0-36 months), stature-for-age (2-20 years) and weight-for-age (2-20 years).

• Hip to waist ratio: Divide waist circumference (measure around the smallest part of the torso, generally slightly above the navel) by hips circumference (measure around the largest part of the buttocks) to determine the hip to waist ratio. For women, a healthy ratio is 0.8 or lower, and for men it is 1.0 or lower. Note: The lowest healthy ratio is not known. Although the waist to hip ratio may indicate where fat is distributed on the body, it does not predict the risk of any disease. According to the American Heart Association, WHR is less accurate than body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference and is no longer recommended.

Author Information

• This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Body Mass Index: About BMI for Adults. 16 May 2006. www.cdc.gov

2. Halls S, Hanson J. Body Mass Index Charts of Men. 16 May 2006. www.halls.md