Why is the A/G Ratio important for your Healthspan?
Metabolism — Cardiovascular Health
Where we store body fat matters as much as how much we store. A higher A/G Ratio indicates proportionally more fat in the abdominal region—fat that is more metabolically active, more inflammatory, and more strongly linked to insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, gynoid fat (hips/thighs) is generally less inflammatory and may even be protective, especially in women. A lower A/G Ratio typically reflects healthier fat distribution, better hormonal balance, and reduced risk of metabolic disease over the lifespan.
An elevated A/G Ratio often correlates with increased visceral fat, impaired glucose metabolism, higher triglycerides, and inflammatory load. This pattern is associated with greater risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and heart disease. A lower ratio suggests fat is stored in metabolically safer regions, supporting better endocrine balance, bone health, and long-term physiological stability. Because fat distribution tends to shift with age—especially during menopause and andropause—tracking this ratio helps identify risk early and guide targeted prevention strategies.
What is the A/G Ratio?
The Android-to-Gynoid Ratio represents the relationship between fat stored in the abdominal region (android fat) and fat stored around the hips and thighs (gynoid fat). It is typically derived from DEXA scan data, offering a more precise assessment of fat distribution than BMI or weight alone. Android fat, concentrated around the waist and internal organs, is more likely to be visceral in nature—producing inflammatory cytokines and driving metabolic dysfunction. Gynoid fat, however, tends to be subcutaneous and hormonally influenced, with lower inflammatory activity and a slower turnover rate.
A/G Ratio essentially reflects metabolic risk through body composition geometry. A higher ratio means abdominal fat dominates—often seen in central obesity—while a lower ratio reflects a more gynoid-dominant, metabolically favorable distribution. Changes in this ratio over time can signal shifts in hormone status, lifestyle patterns, or aging-related fat redistribution. Optimizing this marker supports healthier metabolism, improved cardiovascular outcomes, and extended functional longevity.
How do you find your Android-to-Gynoid ratio?
Your Android-to-Gynoid ratio can be measured through a DEXA body composition scan, which assesses fat, lean tissue, and bone across different regions of your body. The scan software identifies the abdominal region (android) and the hip and thigh region (gynoid). On systems that calculate the ratio using regional body-fat percentages:
Android body-fat percentage ÷ gynoid body-fat percentage = A/G ratio
For example, an android body-fat percentage of 36% and a gynoid body-fat percentage of 40% would produce an A/G ratio of 0.90.
If you already have a DEXA body-composition report, look for “Android/Gynoid ratio” or “A/G ratio.” If it isn’t shown, ask your scan provider whether their report includes it. A bone-density-only scan may not include these body-composition measurements.
A waist measurement or waist-to-hip ratio provides different information and isn’t interchangeable with a DEXA-derived A/G ratio.
What is a healthy Android-to-Gynoid ratio?
There isn’t one A/G ratio that should be treated as ideal for everyone. Interpretation depends on your age, sex, the scan system, and how the ratio is calculated.
A higher ratio indicates relatively more abdominal fat compared with hip and thigh fat, but the number alone doesn’t diagnose a health condition. Reference ranges describe how your result compares with a particular population; they aren’t automatically targets for optimal health. Ask your scan provider or healthcare professional to interpret your result alongside other findings, including visceral fat estimates, blood biomarkers, and your health history.
Already a MyHealthspan member? Log in to your dashboard to purchase a DEXA scan, or message your longevity coach for guidance on whether it’s an appropriate next step for your health goals.
How do we take action?
Exercise Improvement — Diet Enhancement — Weight Management
Lowering the A/G Ratio centers on reducing abdominal fat and improving metabolic flexibility. Evidence supports a combination of regular resistance training and moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise for reducing android fat preferentially. Nutrition strategies that stabilize blood glucose—such as reducing refined carbohydrates and added sugars, prioritizing lean protein, and increasing fibre from vegetables, legumes, and whole foods—can lower insulin levels and encourage fat mobilization from the abdominal region. Weight loss of even 5–10% can meaningfully shift the A/G Ratio, particularly when paired with improved sleep (7–9 hours) and stress management, as chronically elevated cortisol promotes abdominal fat storage. Individuals with persistent elevation may benefit from metabolic screening (fasting glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c) to identify early risk patterns and personalize interventions.
These blood markers provide another piece of the picture alongside your body-composition results. MyHealthspan is a doctor-founded Canadian preventive-health company offering blood testing, an in-depth biomarker review, and a personalized action plan.
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Keep learning about your health
Understanding your A/G ratio is just one piece of a bigger picture. Want to learn more about what your health measurements can tell you—and what to do next? Our newsletter shares research, practical health insights, and clear explanations of biomarkers and testing to help you make more informed decisions about your health.
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Additional resources
- Karastergiou, K., Smith, S. R., Greenberg, A. S., & Fried, S. K. (2012). Sex Differences in Human Adipose Tissues – The Biology of Pear Shape. Biology of Sex Differences, 3(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/2042-6410-3-13
- Manolopoulos, K. N., Karpe, F., & Frayn, K. N. (2010). Gluteofemoral Body Fat as a Determinant of Cardiometabolic Health. International Journal of Obesity, 34(6), 949–959. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.286
- Imboden, M. T., Welch, W. A., Swartz, A. M., Montoye, A. H. K., Finch, H. W., Harber, M. P., & Kaminsky, L. A. (2017). Reference standards for body fat measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in Caucasian adults. PLOS ONE, 12(4), e0175110. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175110
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