Final answer:
Waist circumference should be measured in patients with a BMI of 25 or higher to determine the risk of obesity-related diseases. For men, a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.95 and for women, greater than 0.86 indicates excessive abdominal fat, which increases health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessing a patient's Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common practice to determine if an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. However, BMI does not account for the distribution of fat in the body, which can be a significant risk factor for certain health conditions. In order to assess risks associated with central obesity, which is characterized by excess abdominal fat and associated with increased health risks, measurement of waist circumference is important.
According to guidelines, in individuals with a BMI between 25 and 29.9, which is considered overweight, checking waist circumference can be particularly informative. For men with a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.95 and women with a ratio greater than 0.86, there is an indication of excessive abdominal fat. The World Health Organization (WHO) further defines abdominal obesity as having a waist-to-hip ratio above 0.90 for males and above 0.85 for females. A waist-to-hip ratio above these values suggests a greater risk for conditions such as cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, waist circumference should be measured in patients with a BMI of 25 or higher to better understand the patient's risk profile for chronic diseases associated with obesity.