Body Fat vs Waist To Hip Ratio

Approximately 32 million American adults (24% of men and 27% of women) are overweight.

Mortality rates are increased for individuals with weights only 10% above desirable weight.

Most authorities recognized weights 20% or more above desirable weight to constitute obesity and to be associated with multiple attendant health risks.

Hypertension and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type II) are three times more prevalent in the obese.

The risks of hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease are also increased, as are the risks of several types of cancer including colon, rectal, prostate, gallbladder, billary tract, breast, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
A
bdominal adiposity, measure by waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), is associated with increase risk of diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, and death from all causes.

Recent research indicates that WHR may be a stronger predictor of mortality than measures of general body adiposity.

Weight loss, through changes in diet, increased physical activity, and other interventions, can decrease the risk of most forms of morbidity associated with obesity.

In order for weight loss to be beneficial it must be sustained.

Recent research indicates that fluctuations in weight may be an independent risk factor for increased total mortality and morbidity from coronary artery disease.

An estimated desirable weight can be determined as follows:

For women give 100 lbs for the first 60” and add 5 lbs for each inch above 60” or subtract 5 lbs for each inch below 60”.
For men give 106 lbs for the first 60” and add 6 lbs for each inch above 60” or subtract 6 lbs for each inch below 60”.

Desirable weight will also vary depending on size of body frame.