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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.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology
Last Revised	June 9, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 09, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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