Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculate Your
Waist/Hip Ratio
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a calculation of a healthy weight range for your height. BMI should only be used for adults aged 20-65 years old. The BMI may also overestimate body fat in those that have a very muscular build, and underestimate body fat in older adults that have lost muscle mass.
Where you carry fat stores on your body can affect your health. Those that are "pear shaped" and carry excess fat closer to the skin and around the hips are at lesser risk than those that are "apple shaped" and carry their fat around the abdomen and closer to internal organs. This difference puts "apple shapes" at greater risk for stroke, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and gall bladder disease.
Your Waist-Hip Ratio is:
Men/Women's waist hip ratio should be below 0.90/0.85 in order to be at a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure or gallbladder disease.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation explains how to measure your waist circumference and why it is important:
