Final answer:
A man with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches or a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.90 is at an increased risk for chronic disease due to central obesity.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a man's waist circumference is greater than 40 inches, he is at an increased risk for developing chronic disease. This measurement is an indicator of central obesity, where most of the excess fat is stored in the abdomen. Central obesity is linked to a higher risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, a man's waist-to-hip ratio can be a critical measure; a ratio greater than 0.90 indicates excessive abdominal fat, which is also associated with increased disease risk. It is worth noting that visceral fat, the fat stored in the abdominal cavity, releases hormones and inflammatory factors that can heighten the risk of developing these conditions.