Final answer:
Women and men are at an increased health risk if their waist measurements are greater than 35 inches and 40 inches, respectively. Moreover, a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men is indicative of excessive abdominal fat and higher disease risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Waist Circumference and Health Risks
Waist circumference is a simple yet effective way to assess body composition and potential health risks associated with excess abdominal fat. For women, a waist circumference greater than 35 inches indicates an increased risk of health issues, whereas for men, the risk increases with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches. This measure can be more revealing than the Body Mass Index (BMI) because it specifically assesses central obesity—the fat accumulation around the abdominal area—which is more strongly associated with chronic diseases.
Furthermore, calculating the waist-to-hip ratio provides insight into fat distribution, which is an important factor in assessing disease risk. Men with a ratio greater than 0.90 and women with a ratio greater than 0.85 are considered to have excessive abdominal fat, which correlates with a higher likelihood of health problems, such as heart attacks, compared to those with lower ratios. Recording these measurements allows for a more individualized health assessment by focusing on the specific dangers presented by visceral fat.