Waist circumference and waist-hip ratio: report of a WHO expert consultation

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:

• review the usefulness of waist circumference and waist-hip ratio measures as predictors of NCD risk;
• assess operational considerations related to measurement protocols and cut‐off points for public health action;
• define potential cut‐off points for public health action;
• identify future research needs.