My understanding is that - from purely a *health* standpoint - anything 0.8 and above is called an "apple" shape; and anything below 0.8 is a "pear" shape. This is not to be confused with fashion definitions; because hourglass would fall under this so-called "pear" definition...
Have I confused you yet?
Most health and fitness sites will tell you that "pear" is infinetly more healthy than an "apple" waist-to-hip ratio. The standard - and widely accepted - theory is that fat carried around waist is closer to your internal organs, which carries increased risk of heart disease and diabetes and so on; whereas fat carried around your hips is farther away from your internal organs, hence not as risky.
So the usual health advice is to keep your ratio below 0.8.
However, I have *never* had a ratio below 0.8!! Bane of my existence; I have tried and tried... Even at my very fittest - with low body fat percentage because I was running and doing weight lifting and eating vegetarian and the whole nine yards - my ratio stayed stubbornly at 0.8.
If I get out of shape, the ratio goes higher. I gain weight in my stomach area much more easily than in my hips. And, when this happens, my blood sugar numbers do indeed go completely out of whack, as does my cholesterol. (but oddly enough, my blood pressure stays pretty low). Which makes my doctor start preaching to me.
So Angie and Maya - your 0.72 and 0.76 ratios mean that you are at low risk for diabetes and heart disease. My 0.8 ratio - which never goes below 0.8 no matter what I do - mean that I am at higher risk for diabetes and heart disease... and yes, apparently, I am built for stress!!!
I've learned this past year or two that if I am right *at* 0.8, my blood sugar and cholesterol is fine... I just need to be really careful and I have less room to gain weight, if I want to stay healthy, compared to someone who is a pear shape. For example, my mom and sister have teeny-tiny waists and gain in their hips and thighs, while waist stays tiny. They can gain 20, 30, 40 even 50 lbs - and be healthier than I can, gaining just 5 or 10.... that is the sad truth!!
Despite having a 0.8 ratio, fashion-wise, I still think I am an "hourglass veering towards inverted triangle" - because my chest measurement is equal to my hips! The waist-to-hip ratio doesn't take into account one's chest!!!
P.s., Maya, I'm really surprised you can't find jeans, with a 0.76 ratio!! If I have a 0.8 ratio, surely you should have an easier time than me?
