Final answer:
The correct option is (b) Waist circumference. Disease risk for women increases above a waist circumference of 35 inches, which indicates central obesity and is a more accurate predictor of health issues than BMI. Measures like waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio are essential in assessing disease risk related to fat distribution, particularly abdominal fat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease risk for women begins to increase above a measure of 35 inches in waist circumference, not BMI. This measurement is critical as it relates to fat distribution and associated health risks. Excessive abdominal fat, particularly in the form of visceral fat, is a better predictor of disease risk than total body fat and is considered a sign of central obesity. Women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches are predicted to face greater health risks due to this type of fat accumulation. On the other hand, the waist-to-hip ratio is also a valuable indicator and is calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference. For women, a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.85 signals excessive abdominal fat and heightened risk for several conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
While BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight, it does not account for the distribution of fat within the body. However, abdominal obesity, as indicated by waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, has been linked to more serious health issues than BMI. Therefore, it's critical to consider these measures when assessing disease risk for women.