Measures of Nutrition and Weight

Food

Glycaemic index (GI)

The glycaemic index is a numerical index assigned to a food. It is obtained by measuring the effect that a carbohydrate containing food has on blood sugar levels, compared to the effect of the same amount of pure sugar on blood sugar levels.

For more information, see Glycaemic Index.

Glycaemic load (GL)

The problem with the GI is that it provides us with an idea of how rapidly a carbohydrate turns into sugar, but not how much of that carbohydrate is in a food serving. The glycaemic load is an extension of the GI, taking into account the quantity of carbohydrates as well.

For more information, see Glycaemic Load.

Calorie Counter

Calculate your daily calorie intake and compare it to your recommended daily intake.

Click here to complete the Calorie Counter

Body

Body mass index (BMI)

The body mass index is a physical measurement used to assess your total amount of body fat. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by the square of your height in metres (m²). Depending on the BMI value calculated, you may be underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese.

For more information, see Body Mass Index.

This tool needs Javascript enabled to run.The formula for calculating your body mass index is:
BMI = weight (kilograms) / (height (metres) * height (metres))

For example:
A man who weighs 85 kilograms and is 1.8 metres tall would have a BMI of
BMI = 85 / (1.8 * 1.8)
BMI = 85 / 3.24
BMI = 26.2

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

Waist circumference (WC)

Measuring a person's waist circumference (WC) is the simplest way to assess central obesity, the excess accumulation of fat in the abdominal area. Excess abdominal fat will predispose obesity-related disease, regardless of overall body fat.

For more information, see Waist Circumference (WC).

Waist to hip ratio (WHR)

The waist to hip ratio (WHR) is calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference. The score from the WHR predicts the risk of developing several conditions associated with excess abdominal fat.

For more information, see Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR).

Waist to Hip Ratio

Results

Your waist to hip ratio is .
You do not have excess body fat distribution. Please remember that Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is not a valid measure for underweight individuals and therefore must be conducted along with Body Mass Index (BMI). If your WHR is less than and your BMI is lower than 20 you are underweight.

Your waist to hip ratio is . Ideal is less than
You have excess abdominal fat distribution. You could be at risk of developing several obesity-related health conditions. Make sure you make an appointment with your doctor for a clinical evaluation. Please remember that Waist to Hip ratio (WHR) is not a valid measure for underweight patients and therefore must be conducted along with Body Mass Index

Learn more about your waist to hip ratio

Reference

Panoulas VF, Ahmad N, Fazal AA, et al. The inter-operator variability in measuring waist circumference and its potential impact on the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2008; 84(993):344-7.
McArdle WD, Katch FI, Katch VL. Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance. 5th Ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.
Wahlqvist ML. Australia and New Zealand: Food and Nutrition. 2nd Ed. Crows Nest: Allen and Unwin; 2002.
Tovee MJ, Benson, PJ, Emery JL, Mason SM, Cohen-Tovee EM. Measurement of body size and shape perception in eating-disordered and control observers using body-shape software. The British Journal of Psychology. 2003; 94: 501-16.

This information will be collected for educational purposes, however it will remain anonymous.

This tool needs javascript enabled to work.To calculate your waist to hip ratio, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.For men, a ratio of less than 0.9 is healthy, for women, less than 0.8.If your waist to hip ratio is greater than this you have excess absominal fat distribution. You could be at risk of developing several obesity-related health conditions. Make sure you make an appointment with your doctor for a clinical evaluation.Please remember that Waist to Hip ratio is not a valid measure for underweight individuals and therefore must be conducted along with Body Mass Index (BMI). If your WHR is less than 0.9 for men or 0.8 for women and your BMI is lower than 20 you are underweight.

More information

For more information on nutrition, including information on types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.