It measures central (abdominal) adiposity, which is more strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome than total body weight or BMI.

Below 0.5 is considered healthy for most adults. A simple way to remember it: your waist circumference should be less than half your height. Above 0.6 indicates substantially elevated health risk.

For predicting cardiometabolic risk, yes — multiple large studies show WHtR outperforms BMI. It accounts for height, making it more valid across different body frames and ethnicities.

At the midpoint between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone, typically at or just above the navel. Measure after a normal exhale, keeping the tape level and snug but not compressing skin.