Abstract
Although body mass index (BMI) is widely used as a simple tool to assess obesity, it has certain limitations and inaccuracies. It is known that visceral adipose tissue is closely related to cardiometabolic risks and all-cause mortality; however, precise measurement methods for visceral fat (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) cannot be widely used. Thus, simple but accurate alternatives are valuable. Studies have shown that waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) might be a superior and more accurate variable in assessing central or visceral adiposity as well as predicting risks of diabetes and other cardiometabolic diseases. Furthermore, WHtR cutoff values can be consistent across different races, age, and genders, making it a universal metric worth promoting and applying.