Conicity Index Formula
The conicity index uses your waist measurement along with your height and weight to estimate how much fat there is around your middle. It is a good indicator of visceral fat.
The Conicity Index Formula
In metric units:
CI = Waist (m) / (0.109 × √(Weight (kg) / Height (m)))
What the Numbers Mean
The Conicity Index typically ranges from:
- 1.0 = Weight is evenly distributed throughout the body
- 1.73 = The maximum possible concentration of body mass at or above the waist level
Example
Here's a calculation for a woman with these measurements:
- Height: 170 cm
- Weight: 75 kg
- Waist: 85 cm
Calculation:
CI = 0.85 / (0.109 × √(75 / 1.70))CI = 0.85 / (0.109 × √44.12)CI = 0.85 / (0.109 × 6.64)CI = 0.85 / 0.724 = 1.17
A result of 1.17 falls in the "Low Risk" category for women, which means there is a healthy fat distribution.
Conicity Index Categories
| Category | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Low Risk | < 1.25 | < 1.18 |
| Moderate Risk | 1.25-1.35 | 1.18-1.25 |
| High Risk | > 1.35 | > 1.25 |
History
The Conicity Index was developed by Valdez and colleagues in 1993 as a way to measure abdominal fat distribution using just a tape measure and a scale. It correlates strongly with visceral fat and is thus an independent predictor of heart disease.