Utility of Anthropometric Measures in a Multiethnic Population: Their Association with Prevalent Diabetes, Hypertension and Other Chronic Disease Comorbidities

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are two common anthropometric measures of obesity in clinical and public health practice. Consensus, however, remains elusive regarding their utility for predicting cardiovascular disease risk in multiethnic populations. We address this gap in the literature by analyzing cross-sectional data from the first round of the Los Angeles County Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011. We characterized the relationships between BMI, WC, waist-to-hip ratios, waist-to-height ratios, and chronic disease extent, as confirmed by the presence of hypertension, diabetes, and/or two or more other chronic conditions as defined by a composite indicator ‘comorbidity’. To account for race/ethnicity, age, gender, and cigarette smoking frequency, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were generated and reported for each of the regression analyses. Whereas being overweight was associated with hypertension alone (aOR 2.10; 95% CI 1.12–3.94), obesity was associated with hypertension (aOR 5.04; 95% CI 2.80–9.06) as well as diabetes (aOR 5.28; 95% CI 2.25–12.3) and comorbidity (aOR 3.69; 95% CI 2.02–6.77). In whites and African-Americans, BMI and WC were positively related to diabetes, hypertension and comorbidity. In Hispanics, BMI and WC were also positively related to diabetes and comorbidity, but only the former measure was associated with hypertension (p<0.050). In Asians, BMI was not a significant predictor of diabetes, hypertension and/or comorbidity. Collectively, the findings suggest that BMI is not universally informative and waist circumference and its derivatives may represent a viable, more racially/ethnically appropriate alternative for use with selected minority groups.

Prevalence and Predictors of Chronic Health Conditions of Inmates Newly Admitted to Maximum Security Prisons

“…However, the individual risk predictors we identified were generally consistent with those previously reported among inmates following admission. With the exception of kidney disease, females had higher prevalence of chronic conditions than males, which has also been reported previously (Binswanger et al, 2010; Booth, Prevost, & Gulliford, 2014; Freudenberg, Moseley, Labriola, Daniels, & Murrill, 2007; Tarleton et al, 2013). It is possible that females are more willing to report health conditions or agree to screening, or they may, in fact, be less healthy or more susceptible to certain chronic medical conditions when they enter the prison system (Lwebuga-Mukasa, Oyana, & Wydro, 2004).…”

Hypomethylation of the Angiotensin II Type I Receptor (<b><i>AGTR1</i></b>) Gene Along with Environmental Factors Increases the Risk for Essential Hypertension

“…A previous study has shown that the higher the BMI, the greater the risk of hypertension [21]. However, BMI does not accurately reflect the distribution of body fat [22].…”

Media Outlet and Consumer Reactions to Promotional Activities of the Choose Health LA Restaurants Program in Los Angeles County

“…19 To the extent feasible, measures from prior DPH data collection efforts (shown to be valid and reliable) were used (Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, LAC DPH, unpublished raw data, 2011). 26 Questions focusing on awareness and perceptions of the Choose Health LA Restaurants program (added in this round) were developed by the DPH.…”