Body Adiposity Index and Cardiovascular Health Risk Factors in Caucasians: A Comparison with the Body Mass Index and Others

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown a relation between the adipose tissue accumulation and a higher risk for developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, body fat content and, mainly, the fat distribution or adiposity could be considered as important indicators of health risk. In spite of presenting several limitations, BMI is the most widely used and accepted index for classifying overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlations between Body Adiposity Index (BAI), BMI and other adiposity indexes such as WC, WHR and WHtR with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Furthermore, the behavior of BAI and BMI regarding the ability to discriminate overweight or obese individuals was also analyzed.Research Methodology/Principal FindingsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Spanish Caucasian adult workers. Participants in the study (29.214 men and 21.040 women, aged 20–68 years) were systematically selected during their work health periodic examinations. BAI, BMI, WHR, WHtR, body weight, hip and waist circumference (WC) as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured. Serum levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and glucose were also determined. Results of the study indicated that BAI was less correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic risk factors than other adiposity indexes (BMI, WC and WHtR). The best correlations were found for WHtR. In addition, the BAI presented lower discriminatory capacity than BMI for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (MS) using both IDF and ATP III criteria. A different behavior of the BAI in men and women when considering the ability to discriminate overweight or obese individuals was also observed.ConclusionsThe adiposity indexes that include the waist circumference (WHtR and WC) may be better candidates than BAI and BMI to evaluate metabolic and cardiovascular risk in both clinical practice and research.

Body Adiposity Index and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Korean Adults: A Comparison with Body Mass Index and Other Parameters

“…In addition, BAI is reportedly useful for different ethnic groups (Bergman et al, 2011). However, our results and those of Bennasar-Veny et al (2013) show differences in overweight and obesity rates in men. Thus, it appears that the BAI criteria should be applied based on ethnic group.…”

“…In our study, BMI and the WHtR in males were more strongly associated with metabolic syndrome risk factors than BAI, whereas the WHtR in females was more strongly associated with metabolic syndrome risk factors than BAI. The WHtR is highly associated with the Framingham and REGICOR (Registre Gironí del Cor, Heart Register of Girona) indices, which are criteria for cardiovascular risk (Bennasar-Veny et al, 2013;Melmer et al, 2013). Therefore, the WHtR is expected to be useful as an adiposity index to predict factors associated with metabolic syndrome.…”

“…Bennasar- Veny et al (2013) reported that BAI overestimates fat levels in Caucasian men, whereas it classifies > 80% of Caucasian women as normal weight. That is, BAI underestimates fat levels in women.…”

Is Waist-to-Height Ratio Superior to Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Predicting the Incidence of Hypertension?

“…As the standard measure of general obesity, body mass index (BMI), is the most widely used indicator to predict and screen hyper-tension [5]. Since fat distribution is more important than total body fat for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) [6,7], many measures considering body fat distribution, such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), and subcutaneous fat like triceps skinfold thickness, have been developed and applied.…”

Indices of Central and Peripheral Obesity; Anthropometric Measurements and Laboratory Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome and Thyroid Function

“…Obesity is well-defined by using body mass index (BMI), a quantification obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height. An adult who has a BMI of 25-30 kg/m 2 is defined as overweight, and an adult with a BMI >30 is considered obese (6). On the other hand, with the current increase in the prevalence of obesity, the study of IR and body composition has become an important area of research in public health (7).…”