Research has shown that much more than the weight of a person, it is the shape of the body which is important in determining risks for the development of many serious disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, atherosclerosis leading to heart attacks and strokes, and many other ailments.

Research shows that people with "apple-shaped" bodies (with more weight around the waist) face more risks than those with "pear-shaped" bodies that carry more weight around the hips. 

Are YOU an Apple or a Pear?

To determine if you have a healthy waist to hip ratio, use a measuring tape to measure the circumference of your hips at the widest part of your buttocks. Then measure your waist at the smaller circumference of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button. ( See Figure )

Recently, it has been shown that the Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) used along with the BMI is better in predicting risk for many of the serious disorders such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid disorders and atherosclerosis leading to heart attacks and strokes etc.