What body composition measure is NOT typically used to assess the risk for disease?

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is a measure of the number of calories your body needs to maintain basic physiological functions at rest, such as breathing, circulation, and cell production. While BMR provides useful insight into an individual’s metabolism and energy needs, it does not directly assess body composition or fat distribution, which are more relevant when evaluating disease risk.

In contrast, waist circumference, body composition, and waist-to-hip ratio are all vital indicators that reflect fat distribution and overall body fat level. Higher waist circumferences and waist-to-hip ratios, for instance, are associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes, making them crucial for assessing health risk. Body composition measures help determine the proportion of fat to lean mass, providing additional information on health risks compared to simply looking at weight.

Therefore, while BMR is important in understanding energy expenditure, it does not directly relate to the assessment of disease risk like the other measures mentioned.