The diagnostic efficacy of anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values in assessing risk factors for cardiovascular disease among university students

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the ability of various anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values in predicting fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood pressure (BP) and HDL cholesteroal levels in a group of healthy volunteers.MethodsParticipants had fasting finger‐stick blood sugar and HDL cholesterol measured with hand‐held automated monitors(One Touch Ultra and Cardio Chek PA respectively). Blood pressures was measures on both arms after ten minutes of rest in the sitting position using an automated blood pressure monitor(Omron HEM 712C). the average of four readings was used as the indexed blood pressure. In addition, antropometry was measured using standard procedure. Percentage body fat (%BF), visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass was measured with the OMRON Full Body Sensor (HBF‐510W). Participation in the study was voluntary.ResultsNinety‐eight persons (58 females and 43 males) participated in the investigation. Anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values had low sensitivities (3%–50%) and high specificities (70%–100%) in detecting elevated FBS,BP and HDL cholesterol levels.ConclusionOur findings suggest similar predictive ability among the various anthropometric and body composition cut–offs in detecting elevated blood sugar, blood pressure and HDL among participants.