Final answer:
To reduce disease risk, women should aim for a waist circumference of less than 35 inches. This measure, alongside the waist-to-hip ratio, provides an indication of health risks, particularly those related to chronic diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
To minimize the risk of disease, females should keep their waist circumference less than 35 inches. Waist circumference is a significant indicator of health risks as it measures abdominal or visceral fat, which can contribute to chronic diseases. While waist circumference provides a quick assessment, the waist-to-hip ratio offers a more accurate risk assessment, correlating highly with the risk of heart attacks and is considered a better predictor of mortality in obese patients. This ratio is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference. In addition to these measures, body mass index (BMI) is another metric used for evaluating obesity, but it does not account for fat distribution. Therefore, understanding both BMI and fat distribution, particularly waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, is crucial for evaluating an individual's risk for obesity-related diseases.