Is waist-to-hip ratio mostly determined by genetics?

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  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,084 Member
    You can add me to the group where yes, it's body type.

    I'm heavier right now than I should be, and I fall in the "okay" ratio range.

    At my lightest, I am just barely in the "okay" range according to the ratio charts.

    I can promise you I am much healthier at the lighter weight LOL. I'm a natural apple, but lose my weight "from the top down" so right now my upper body is getting pretty trim, while my belly and thighs aren't moving too much at all. My love handles I think are starting to shrink (need to start measuring them), but waist has steadily been shrinking.
  • MamaMc3
    MamaMc3 Posts: 213 Member
    I've lost about 90 lbs, and I'd like to lose about 65 more. I am losing it proportionately, too. I've always been an apple shape, and I'm definitely still the same general body shape. I don't expect to ever have a "small" waist, but hopefully working out and losing the rest of my weight will help improve my waist/hip ratio.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited February 2018
    I think once you're at a healthy weight, yes, it is determined largely by your bone structure. Serenity to accept the things you cannot change is definitely called for here :smile:

    My current w/h ratio is .74, yet I'm still 15 pounds above the top of the healthy BMI range for my weight, and if I were to test my body fat I have no doubt it would reveal what I already know - that I am a squishy jelly belly :wink: This is just one piece of the puzzle.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    middlehaitch wrote: »
    The big concern with the W/H and W/Ht ratios is visceral fat, not subcutaneous fat. So if genetics put you outside the parameters I don't think there is a lot to be concerned about.

    That jiggly stuff is not as concerning as the solid fat that is under the muscle and between the organs.

    Fortunately, on a deficit, the visceral fat is utilized first. That is why guys with a 'beer' belly look as though they have lost a lot of weight fast, it is mainly visceral fat.

    @estherdragonbat, in 15lbs I am expecting a big story in the success sub-forum with lots of pics. <3

    Cheers, h.

    Maybe not riiiiiiiiiiiiiight then, but I will! I want to get a little bit deeper into the range so I've got a buffer against normal weight fluctuations. :D
  • mph323
    mph323 Posts: 3,563 Member
    estherdragonbat wrote: »
    I'm average, and, interestingly enough, my goal weight is right about there already. (I'm 5'3"; the range is 108-140. I'm on a wait-list for an RD, but if I reach 130 before I meet with them, my plan has always been to shift to maintenance there.)

    Hi, I'm 5'3" too, and around 108 lbs (just started maintenance). I had a DXA scan a couple of weeks ago and I have a waist-to-hip ratio of .88, at 24.8 body fat. I'm virtually straight down from my ribs to my thighs, so I vote genetics :(
  • Duchy82
    Duchy82 Posts: 560 Member
    It is an interesting question and I didn't actually know whether my waist to hip ratio had changed turns out at my first ever measurement it was 0.71 and now 0.7 so it seems fat loss has been very consistent all over. Using @middlehaitch waist to height link i apparently am ok at 0.43, looking at bmi still overweight and no idea about frame size.

    I guess most of it is genetics, I can't make my hip bones any smaller ;)
  • JanetReyna
    JanetReyna Posts: 291 Member
    I know this is really old, but this discouraged me so much. I wish it is really my dream to have bigger hips because mine are narrow and I gain weight mostly from my top. I hate those darn genetics, sometimes I highly think about getting lipo the results are amazing if you keep a healthy lifestyle! Some things suck when it comes to genetics, I wish I was more bottom heavy than top heavy. Fat arms, big stomach and fat back is sooooo unattractive:(
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    JanetReyna wrote: »
    I know this is really old, but this discouraged me so much. I wish it is really my dream to have bigger hips because mine are narrow and I gain weight mostly from my top. I hate those darn genetics, sometimes I highly think about getting lipo the results are amazing if you keep a healthy lifestyle! Some things suck when it comes to genetics, I wish I was more bottom heavy than top heavy. Fat arms, big stomach and fat back is sooooo unattractive:(

    It sounds like you need to lose weight first. How many pounds before you reach your goal weight? I wouldn't consider lipo until you've maintained your goal weight for at least two years.

    Also, you can boost your lower body - are you familiar with "Glute Guy" Bret Contreras?

    Strong Curves: A Woman's Guide to Building a Better Butt and Body

    I wouldn't consider that a beginner program. If you are new to working out, I recommend spending some time with a trainer in a gym first.
  • SlayLikeAWarrior
    SlayLikeAWarrior Posts: 89 Member
    sardelsa wrote: »
    Oh wow that's awesome, great job on the loss!

    For the most part it is genetic, a lot of it has to do with bone structure. However, strength training while you lose can help maintain muscle to help, but it is no guarantee. Bodybuilding (putting on muscle) can change it to some extent.. you can increase the size of your glutes (which affects the hips). You can also build up your lats and upper body to give you more of an hour-glass shape. At my leanest I had more of a straight shape, now after building my legs/glutes I am more curvy. Of course this will still depend on genetics and how you put on muscle.

    This can all take years and years though.

    Excellent advise Sardelsa!

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