Final answer:
Total body fat mass and fat distribution, especially waist-to-hip ratio, when used with BMI, provide a more accurate prediction of health and injury risks than BMI alone due to their detailed assessment of body composition and fat location.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total body fat mass and fat distribution, such as waist-to-hip ratio, coupled with BMI, predict musculoskeletal injury risk and health risk better than BMI alone. Unlike BMI, which is a measure of body mass relative to height, body fat mass and fat distribution provide a more nuanced view of body composition. For example, visceral fat is particularly associated with increased disease risk, and this type of fat is not accounted for by BMI alone.
Furthermore, the waist-to-hip ratio has been found to be a stronger predictor of health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. In fact, an elevated waist-to-hip ratio indicates a higher risk of heart attacks. Physical activity is also a crucial factor that can influence body composition and thus affect both BMI and waist-to-hip ratio, leading to improved health outcomes.