Answer to Question 1
The waist-to-hip ratio is an index for determining the risk for disease associated with high body fat. The rationale
for this technique is that a high percentage of fat in the abdominal region is associated with an increased risk of
disease. Therefore, an individual with a large fat deposit in the abdominal region would have a higher risk of
disease than someone with a lower waist-to-hip ratio. The body mass index is a useful technique for categorizing
people with respect to their degree of body fat. The body mass index (BMI) is simply the ratio of body weight
divided by the height squared.
Answer to Question 2
Obese individuals are found in all segments of the U.S. population, but the risk is greater among Mexican American
women, African American women, some Native Americans, and children from low-income families. Currently, it is
estimated that 65 of adults in the United States are carrying too much body fat for optimal health
