Findings from a study published online in the journal PLoS ONE suggest that waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may offer a more accurate assessment of body fat than body mass index (BMI). 

The researchers calculated BMI, WHtR, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist/height0.5 for 81 adults, and compared the measurements to whole-body fat percentage (%FM) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass, as quantified by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. They found that the best predictor of both %FM and VAT mass was WHtR. "In the absence of more objective measures of central obesity and adiposity," the researchers write, "WHtR is a suitable proxy measure in both women and men." However, they note that the obesity cut points derived from the data will require validation in larger studies. Learn more...