Waist to height ratio and the AshwellÂ« shape chart could predict the health risks of obesity in adults and children in all ethnic groups

Author: OBE, Margaret Ashwell

Source: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 35, Number 5, 2005 , pp. 359-364(6)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Abstract:

Purpose ? To outline the benefits of the ratio of the waist to height ratio (WHTR) and its graphical representation in the AshwellÂ« shape chart for the assessment of the health risks of obesity. To show that it has potential to be used in all ethnic groups and in adults and children. Design/methodology?/approach ? A review of the benefits and limitations of the use of some different anthropometric measures to assess the health risks of obesity. Those covered are the body mass index (BMI), the waist to hip ratio (WHR), the waist circumference (WC) and the waist to height ratio (WHTR). Findings ? Waist to Height Ratio (WHTR) has the potential to be globally applicable to different ethnic populations and to children as well as adults. Further validation, particularly of the suggested boundary values of 0.5 and 0.6, as used within the AshwellÂ« shape chart to indicate different levels of risk, is required. Originality/value ? This is the first paper to summarise the accumulating evidence for the benefits of using WHTR and the AshwellÂ« shape chart to assess health risk.

Keywords: Health and safety; Health education; Measurement; Obesity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00346650510625575

Publication date: 2005-10-01