Waist-to-height ratio trumps BMI as measure of cardiometabolic risk

Source: Obesity Reviews

Though body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference have both been standards used in determining obesity and health issues in contemporary medical practice, a recent study suggests that waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may actually be a "significantly superior" tool for determining cardiometabolic risk (including diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease.)

Even beyond its assessment benefits, researchers believe that, as a practical tool, WHtR holds many advantages because individuals' self-reporting of waist circumference is likely to be more accurate than their self-reporting of weight (a requirement of BMI measurement) and the apparatus required (a measuring tape vs. a scale) is both a cheaper and more low-tech option.