Which of the following factors can affect an individual's BAC?

Gender is a significant factor that can affect an individual's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) because physiological differences play a crucial role in how alcohol is metabolized in the body. Generally, women tend to have a higher BAC than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol due to differences in body composition, such as a lower percentage of water and higher fat content. Since alcohol is diluted in body water, this means that women will experience a higher concentration of alcohol in their bloodstream compared to men. This difference underscores the importance of considering gender as a variable when assessing the effects of alcohol consumption.

Other factors, while they may influence drinking behavior or the situation in which alcohol is consumed, do not have a direct physiological impact on BAC. For instance, time of day may relate to the likelihood of drinking or the social context but doesn't influence how alcohol is absorbed or processed by the body. Similarly, the color of clothing or the type of vehicle one is driving do not affect BAC levels, as they are unrelated to how alcohol interacts with an individual’s biology. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the variables that truly impact BAC and responsible drinking practices.