Body fat distribution
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Body fat distribution
Body fat distribution varies. Some people may be apple-shaped and carry most of their excess body fat around the stomach. Other people may be pear-shaped and carry most of their excess body fat around the hips, buttocks, and thighs.
You can check to see if you are apple- or pear-shaped by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. This will give you your waist-to-hip ratio. Women with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 0.8 and men with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 1.0 are apple-shaped.
Apple-shaped people are more likely than pear-shaped people to develop health problems related to obesity.
Credits
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Last Updated | June 16, 2008 |
| Last updated: | June 16, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
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