Formula
The ratio uses the same unit for both lengths:
Ratio = waist / height
Ashwell and colleagues have described 0.5 as a simple adult boundary. The page reports the ratio and whether it is below that boundary. It does not diagnose risk.
Assumptions
- Waist and height use the same unit. This page expects centimeters.
- The 0.5 boundary is a published screening suggestion, not a personal result.
Worked example
An 80 cm waist and a 175 cm height give a ratio of 0.457.
Input definitions
- Waist
- Waist circumference in centimeters.
- Height
- Standing height in centimeters.
Limitations
This is an informational estimate for adults. It is not a diagnosis, a diet plan, or a training prescription. Pregnancy, illness, and medication can change what is appropriate.
Questions
Is 0.5 a diagnosis?
No. It is a boundary discussed in adult screening papers. This page only divides the two lengths.
Does weight matter?
Not in this formula. BMI is the page that uses weight.