ACSM Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

The waist-to-hip ratio is a significant indicator of distribution of body fat and is particularly useful in assessing risks associated with abdominal adiposity. For women, a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 0.86 suggests a higher risk for conditions associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This measurement takes into account the waist circumference relative to the hip circumference, with an increase in the ratio indicating a wider waist relative to the hips, which is often associated with greater visceral fat accumulation.

In contrast, a ratio above 0.80 or 0.85 does suggest an increased risk of health problems as well, but the threshold of 0.86 has been established as a more specific cutoff indicating elevated abdominal adiposity in women. Therefore, the significance of the 0.86 threshold exacerbates the health risks and reflects a more defined classification regarding health outcomes related to body fat distribution among women.