Waist to height ratio is the anthropometric index that most appropriately mirrors the lifestyle and psychological risk factors of obesity

Abstract

Aim To determine to what extent the lifestyle and psychological factors influenced the occurrence of obesity in the population of the Mediterranean island of Vis (Croatia); also to relate the examined risk factors to several obesity indicators in order to select the most sensitive one. Methods Cross‐sectional population study included 960 participants of both sexes (18–93 years) in whom the obesity was estimated using anthropometric indicators. The factor analysis of 55‐item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was performed as well as the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12) for the self‐assessment of psychological health and wellbeing. FFQ and GHQ12 individual factors’ scores, sex, age, physical activity, smoking and socioeconomic status were further used as independent variables in the multiple linear regression analyses with five obesity indicators as dependent variables. Results The examined risk factors explained the highest proportion of variance of the waist to height ratio (WHtR) in comparison with all other indicators of obesity (body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, sum of skinfolds thicknesses, fat mass percentage). Only the dietary factors showed a significant relation to BMI, while almost all of the tested variables–dietary pattern, psychological structure, smoking habit and physical activity–had a significant association with WHtR. Conclusions WHtR is the most useful indicator of obesity as it had a profiled relation with a number of lifestyle factors as well as with psychological health. The present study also revealed the importance of psychological factors for obesity phenotype, particularly the behavioural pattern which could be described as avoidance of dealing with problems.

The Association Between Abnormal Eating Behaviors, Body Mass Index, and Waist-to-Height Ratio Among University Students in Malaysia

“…22 The association between abnormal eating behaviors and waist-to-height ratio reported in our study is in agreement with the findings of a study conducted in Croatia among adults aged between 18 and 93 years, which reported that waist-to-height ratio is the most important anthropometric measure in terms of predicting lifestyle and psychological risks for obesity. 23 Lifestyle factors such as the availability of convenience and fast food, study time patterns, and staying alone and away from home might contribute to abnormal eating attitudes. Lack of physical activity can also contribute to an increase in body weight and a resulting change in eating habits.…”

Association between the cardiometabolic index and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: insights from a general population

“…However, BMI has an obvious limitation, it may not be able to distinguish excess adipose tissue [ 40 , 41 ], while WC is an excellent indicator of visceral obesity. In recent years, more and more studies have found that WHtR, which combines height and WC, is a better alternative indicator of obesity, and it is also a better determinant of NAFLD risk than BMI and WC [ 16 , 19 ].…”

Dietary intake in health and disease, challenges in measuring and reporting diet‐disease relationships

“…However, common criticisms include an inability to distinguish between lean body mass and fat mass and the difference across ethnic groups and by age, highlighting the need for more sensitive methods. 37 In this issue, Tomas et al 38 reported a cross-sectional comparison of obesity indices, including BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), sum of skinfold thicknesses (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal) and body fat mass percentage (FAT) estimated using bioelectrical impedance, to evaluate the most sensitive instrument for detecting the influences of various risk factors on obesity. They report WHtR as a more sensitive indicator of obesity than BMI and more strongly related to body composition and risk factors related to overweight/ obesity, such as diet, lifestyle and psychological factors.…”

“…They report WHtR as a more sensitive indicator of obesity than BMI and more strongly related to body composition and risk factors related to overweight/ obesity, such as diet, lifestyle and psychological factors. 38 Reducing disability secondary to chronic disease by prolonging mobility and self-care is key to lowering costs of long-term care to families and society and requires early detection of chronic disease risk factors. 35 Sarcopenia, a skeletal muscle disorder commonly associated with aging, is associated with adverse outcomes including falls, functional decline, frailty, mortality and prolonged hospital admission.…”