How to Use the Abdominal Obesity Calculator
Abdominal obesity refers to excess visceral fat and is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Enter your waist circumference, height, and gender to calculate your WHtR and assess your risk level using US guidelines.
WHtR (waist circumference รท height) is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than BMI alone. A WHtR below 0.5 is generally healthy; 0.5โ0.59 is borderline; 0.6 or above indicates high risk. US abdominal obesity thresholds are 40 inches (men) and 35 inches (women).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. "Metabolically obese, normal weight" is a recognized condition where BMI appears normal but visceral fat is high. WHtR and waist circumference are better indicators of this type of risk.
Measure at the midpoint between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone (iliac crest), roughly at navel level. Exhale naturally before measuring. Morning measurements before eating are most consistent.
Visceral fat (deep abdominal fat) secretes inflammatory compounds and hormones that raise insulin resistance, blood pressure, and bad cholesterol โ all major cardiovascular risk factors.