You are preprogramed to respond and react to waist to hip ratio and there's nothing you can do about. Or is there? Recent studies show that there just may be. But what does it matter? Well, waist to hip ratio matters a lot more than you could ever possibly guess.

Evolutionary psychology explains that humans find certain waist to hip ratios more attractive than others. In fact, scientists have been able to narrow it down to a waist to hip ratio of 0.7 (70%) for women and a 0.9 (90%) for men as the most attractive ratios. Theories on why this holds true range anywhere from waist to hip ratio being our inherent decision making criteria for selecting the most fertile mate to it being an indicator of a healthy mate whom with we can enjoy a long-lived companionship.

But that's not all. Waist to hip ratio has been found by scientists, doctors and nutritionists all over the world to be a key indicator as to whether or not you are at a higher risk for health problems.

How Can I Find Out My Waist To Hip Ratio?

Your waist to hip ratio can be ascertained by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. According to the World Health Organization who strongly recommends finding out your own waist to hip ratio for health reasons, you should measure your waist's circumference midway between the lowest part of your bottom rib and your iliac crest (the most protruding part of your hip bone). Hip circumference should always be measured around the widest part of the buttocks.

Use a stretch-proof tape measurer and be sure to keep it parallel to the floor while measuring. Stand with your feet together, body weight distributed evenly, wearing minimal clothing and with arms at your side. If possible, get someone to assist you so that you can breathe out and relax as the waist and hip measurements are taken. Repeat each measurement two or three times, averaging them together if there are discrepancies.

When you have the measurements, simply divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. The resulting number is your waist to hip ratio. 0.5 will be 50% 1.1 will be 110% and so on.

What Does My Waist To Hip Ratio Number Mean?

Besides measuring attractiveness, your waist to hip ratio can also be used to determine and measure your overall health as well as your risk for developing serious health problems. Because waist to hip ratio is a measurable indicator of obesity, it can be used to separate people into two categories: apple shaped bodies and pear shaped bodies.

Apple shaped bodies are considered people who carry more weight in the waist than in the hips. Your waist to hip ratio will be higher if you have an apple shaped body and as such, you face the very real possibility of increased health risks.

Pear shaped bodies are considered people who carry more weight in the hips than in the waist. Your waist to hip ratio will be lower if you have a pear shaped body and as such, you are less at risk to develop serious health conditions.

Here are a few things your waist to hip ratio can tell about you:

• Men with waist to hip ratios above 1.0 and women above 8.5 are abdominally obese, making them at higher risk for diabetes cardiovascular issues and certain types of cancers.
• Men with waist to hip ratios above 0.9 and women above 8.0 are obese, making them at higher risk for diabetes cardiovascular issues and certain types of cancers.
• Men at 0.9 and below and women around 0.7 have been shown to be more healthy and fertile with lowered rates of early mortality.
• Women with a waist to hip ratio around 0.7 have optimal estrogen levels and are less susceptible to ovarian cancers, among other health issues.
• Mortality rates in the elderly can be directly linked to higher waist to hip ratios.

How Can I Lower My Waist To Hip Ratio?

Please consult a medical professional if you have any questions regarding your Waist to Hip ratio.