Waist circumference and waist–hip ratio

Report of a WHO expert consultation, Geneva, 8-11 December 2008

Overview

The overall aim of the expert consultation was to review the scientific evidence and make recommendations on the issues related to waist circumference and waist–hip ratio. It focused particularly on issues related to: methods of measurement; variations by sex, age and ethnicity; predicting risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, and of overall mortality and relationship with BMI in predicting disease risks.

The specific objectives of the consultation were to: