Waist-to-hip ratio
A tape measure answers a question BMI cannot: where the fat actually is. For Indian bodies that is the more important question.
Your waist of 86 cm is below the 90 cm Indian action point for men.
The risk bands
| Lower risk | Increased risk | Substantially increased | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Below 0.90 | 0.90 – 0.99 | 1.0 and over |
| Women | Below 0.85 | 0.85 – 0.89 | 0.90 and over |
Separately, the Indian consensus statement (2009) puts the waist circumference action point at 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women — lower than the international 102 cm / 88 cm, for the same reason the BMI cutoffs are lower.
Source: World Health Organization. “Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8–11 December 2008.” WHO, 2011.
Source (Indian action points): Misra A, Chowbey P, Makkar BM, et al. “Consensus statement for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome for Asian Indians and recommendations for physical activity, medical and surgical management.” J Assoc Physicians India 2009;57:163–170.
How to measure, properly
- Waist: at the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone — not the navel, not where your trousers sit. Tape horizontal, snug, read at the end of a normal breath out.
- Hip: at the widest point around the buttocks, tape horizontal.
- Stand upright with feet 25–30 cm apart, and do not hold your stomach in.
- Measure twice; if the readings differ by more than 1 cm, take a third.
The simplest test of all
waist ÷ height < 0.5
Waist-to-height ratio needs no sex adjustment, no ethnicity adjustment and no table: keep your waist under half your height. A 170 cm person aims for under 85 cm. Reviews have found it performs at least as well as BMI and waist circumference for predicting cardiometabolic risk.
Source: Ashwell M, Gunn P, Gibson S. “Waist-to-height ratio is a better screening tool than waist circumference and BMI for adult cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and meta-analysis.” Obesity Reviews 2012;13(3):275–286.
Why this matters more in India
At any given BMI, South Asian adults tend to carry more visceral fat — the metabolically active fat around the liver and pancreas — than European adults. That is the mechanism behind the lower BMI action points on the BMI calculator, and it is the reason a tape measure is not a lesser tool here but arguably the better one. The belly fat guide covers what actually shifts the number.
Questions
What is a healthy waist-to-hip ratio?
Below 0.90 for men and below 0.85 for women, per the WHO expert consultation on waist circumference and waist–hip ratio. Above 1.0 for men and 0.90 for women is considered substantially increased risk.
What waist size is unhealthy for an Indian man?
90 cm and above, per the 2009 Indian consensus statement — against an international threshold of 102 cm. The Indian action point is lower because Asian Indians show metabolic consequences at smaller waist sizes.
What waist size is unhealthy for an Indian woman?
80 cm and above under the same Indian consensus guidance, against an international threshold of 88 cm.
Is waist-to-height ratio better than BMI?
For predicting cardiometabolic risk, the evidence suggests it performs at least as well and often better, because it captures where fat sits rather than only how much there is. The rule is simple: keep your waist under half your height.
Waist-to-hip risk bands from the WHO expert consultation (2008, published 2011); waist action points from the Indian consensus statement (Misra et al., 2009). General information only — not medical advice. These calculators use published population formulas; they cannot account for your individual health. Consult a doctor before major diet or exercise changes. See data & method for every formula and citation used on this site.