Final answer:
The amount of fat mass relative to lean mass is crucial for assessing health risks, with optimal levels differing by sex. Measuring body fat and fat distribution, like visceral fat around the waist, can predict disease risk. BMI is also used but may not always accurately reflect body composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of fat mass compared to lean muscle mass, bones, and organs is a critical indicator in assessing health and disease risk. For females, the optimal fat content is between 20 and 30 percent of their total weight, while for males, it is between 12 and 20 percent. Measuring body fat can be done through various methods, with the skin-fold test being a simple, low-cost option using calipers to measure skin thickness and compare it to standards.
It's important to note that where fat is deposited in the body also affects health risks. For instance, visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdominal cavity, is a significant predictor of disease risk. This type of fat releases hormones and inflammatory factors contributing to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. Measuring fat distribution, especially around the waist, can be done with a measuring tape and provides valuable health risk information.
Another common measure is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which calculates one's weight relative to their height. However, BMI has limitations and may not accurately reflect body fat percentage or distribution, which is why additional methods of measuring fat mass are often used in conjunction to provide a clearer picture of an individual's health status.