Waist-to-height ratio
Waist-to-height ratio has been studied in 9 papers since 2020: 9 observational studies in people; 5 in the past year. The newest paper, Jul 31, 2026: “Central Adiposity, Systemic Inflammation, and Incident Heart Failure: A Causal Mediation Analysis From the Jackson Heart Study”.
9 papers study it8 findingsUpdated
“higher rates of hip fracture in both women and men (HR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19)”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 4 independent labs in 4 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: China Scholarship Council - University of Melbourne PhD Scholarship and 3 more
- Humans9
What is Waist-to-height ratio linked with?
5Studies link Waist-to-height ratio with 5 measures, most often increased liver stiffness (1 study), hepatic steatosis (1) and successful aging index (1).
Increased liver stiffness
upin humans1
1 study
Increased liver stiffness
upin humans1
Waist-to-height ratio is associated with increased liver stiffness in humans (elevated WHtR at high-risk threshold) (PR 3.92; 95% CI 2.36-6.51).
“elevated WHtR was associated with markedly higher prevalence of hepatic steatosis (PR 10.45; 95% CI 6.74-16.22) and increased liver stiffness (PR 3.92; 95% CI 2.36-6.51)”
Humanselevated WHtR at high-risk thresholdlivern = 3,905
Waist-to-Height Ratio Outperforms BMI in Identifying Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis in U.S. Adults
ADA Scientific Sessions 2026 abstract
Waist-to-height ratio predicts increased liver stiffness in humans (compared with body mass index) (WAUC 0.76 vs 0.74 for BMI).
“WHtR and WC demonstrated greater discrimination than BMI for hepatic steatosis (WAUC 0.82-0.83 vs 0.81) and increased liver stiffness (WAUC 0.76 vs 0.74)”
Humanscompared with body mass indexlivern = 3,905
Waist-to-Height Ratio Outperforms BMI in Identifying Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis in U.S. Adults
ADA Scientific Sessions 2026 abstract
Hepatic steatosis
upin humans1
1 study
Hepatic steatosis
upin humans1
Waist-to-height ratio is associated with hepatic steatosis in humans (elevated WHtR at high-risk threshold) (PR 10.45; 95% CI 6.74-16.22).
“elevated WHtR was associated with markedly higher prevalence of hepatic steatosis (PR 10.45; 95% CI 6.74-16.22)”
Humanselevated WHtR at high-risk thresholdlivern = 3,905
Waist-to-Height Ratio Outperforms BMI in Identifying Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis in U.S. Adults
ADA Scientific Sessions 2026 abstract
Waist-to-height ratio predicts hepatic steatosis in humans (compared with body mass index) (WAUC 0.82-0.83 vs 0.81 for BMI).
“WHtR and WC demonstrated greater discrimination than BMI for hepatic steatosis (WAUC 0.82-0.83 vs 0.81)”
Humanscompared with body mass indexn = 3,905
Waist-to-Height Ratio Outperforms BMI in Identifying Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis in U.S. Adults
ADA Scientific Sessions 2026 abstract
Successful aging index
upin humans1downin humans1
1 study
Successful aging index
upin humans1downin humans1
Waist-to-height ratio predicts successful aging index in humans (compared with weight, height, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) (adjusted R2 = 0.345, highest among anthropometric indices).
“WHtR exhibited the highest explanatory ability (Adjusted R2 = 0.345)”
Humanscompared with weight, height, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio
Experimental aging research
Waist-to-height ratio is associated with successful aging index in humans (per 0.1-unit increase in WHtR) (b = -4.71 ± 0.26 per 0.1-unit WHtR increase; 95%CI -5.21 to -4.20).
“WHtR was inversely associated with SAI with every 0.1-unit increase, lowering SAI by almost 0.5 units (b-coefficient±SE: -4.71 ± 0.26; 95%CI: -5.21, -4.20).”
Humansper 0.1-unit increase in WHtR
Experimental aging research
Metabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome)
upin humans1
1 study
Metabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome)
upin humans1
Waist-to-height ratio is associated with metabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome) in humans (strongest associations among seven obesity indices).
“Central obesity indices, particularly waist-to-height ratio and body roundness index, showed the strongest associations with all metabolic outcomes in both sexes.”
Humansn = 8,900
Obesity research & clinical practice
More on Metabolic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome)
Hip fracture
upin humans1HR 1.12
1 study
Hip fracture
upin humans1HR 1.12
Waist-to-height ratio is associated with hip fracture in humans (per SD higher baseline value, after adjustment for BMI) (HR 1.12 (95% CI 1.05-1.19) per SD).
“higher rates of hip fracture in both women and men (HR 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.19)”
Humansper SD higher baseline value, after adjustment for BMI1 SD
Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research