What the ratio tells you
Fat stored around the middle is linked more closely to heart disease and diabetes than fat on the hips and thighs. The World Health Organization uses these cut-offs:
| Risk | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.80 or less | 0.90 or less |
| Moderate | 0.81 – 0.85 | 0.91 – 0.99 |
| High | above 0.85 | 1.0 or more |
Common questions
What counts as "high risk"?
Above 0.85 for women, or above 0.99 for men (0.90–0.99 counts as moderate) — the WHO cut-offs this calculator flags as elevated risk for heart disease and diabetes.
Does "apple" vs "pear" shape matter more than BMI?
For heart-disease risk specifically, waist-to-hip ratio (where fat is stored) tracks slightly better than BMI (how much fat overall) in several studies — but they measure different things, so using both gives a fuller picture than either alone.
For general information only — not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about anything that concerns you.