Question

Paula and Prudence both have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 24; a healthy weight. Which of the following indicators of body composition puts Paula at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than Prudence?

A)Paula has a higher waist-to-hip ratio
B)Paula carries more fat in her arms than Prudence does
C)Paula carries most of her fat in subcutaneous spaces
D)Paula has more muscle mass than Prudence

Answer 1

Paula is at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease if she has a higher waist-to-hip ratio, which indicates central obesity and is strongly linked to increased chronic disease risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

Out of the options provided for Paula and Prudence, who both have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 24 within a healthy weight range, the indicator that puts Paula at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than Prudence is A) Paula has a higher waist-to-hip ratio. This is because an increased waist-to-hip ratio is associated with central obesity, in which excess fat is stored around the abdomen. People with central obesity, or an apple-shaped body, are at greater risks for chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, than those with a pear-shaped body, who carry more weight around the hips.

Having more fat in the arms (B) or in subcutaneous spaces (C) does not specifically correlate with higher cardiovascular risk as strongly as central obesity does. Moreover, having more muscle mass (D) does not increase cardiovascular disease risk and may actually provide protective health benefits.