Women with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 0.8 are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution.
Men with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 1.0 are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution.
Excess fat in the abdominal region poses a greater health risk than excess fat in the hips and thighs.
It is associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, early onset of heart disease, and certain types of cancers (American Dietetic Association). However, waist to hip ratio is not a good measure of visceral fat. This is the fat that sits around internal organs and presents the most heath risks.
This simple measurement is more helpful than calculating ideal body weight. It is also superior to BMI.
Measuring your body composition and fat distribution is a more meaningful indicator of health outcomes. See how to measure body fat here.
The apple or pear shape is an anecdotal way of classifying women’s body shapes.
Read more about Apples and Pears.
There is plenty of talk on what constitutes an ideal waist to hip ratio.
Ideal to whom? Yourself or someone that looks at you?
The supposed "ideal" is just under 0.7.
Here’s a good article with lots of discussion concerning body shape and attractiveness.