Waist-to-height ratio is the best anthropometric predictor of hypertension

Abstract

The WHO recommends the use of some anthropometric parameters as a screening resource for individuals under cardiometabolic risk. However, in the validation of these indicators, Brazilian women were not included. These women have different anthropometric profile compared to women who integrated the samples of the validation studies. We aimed to verify the accuracy of anthropometric indicators as a resource for the screening of women with hypertension. A cross-sectional study, with a probability sample of 3143 women (20–49 years) from the state of Alagoas (northeast of Brazil), was carried out. Hypertension was identified by systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg and/or regular use of antihypertensive drugs. The anthropometric indicators analyzed were BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage, and conicity index. The accuracy definition of the indicators and the identification of best cut-off points were carried out on the basis of ROC curve analysis and Youden index, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 21.8%. All indicators used in hypertension identification had area under the ROC curve (AUC) >0.5. The WHtR with cut-off point of 0.54 was the best performance indicator (AUC = 0.72; P < 0.05; sensitivity = 67%, specificity = 66%). The WHtR with cut-off point of 0.54 has constituted the most accurate indicator in the screening of women with hypertension. In the absence of specific studies and considering the largest ethnic proximity and environmental/epidemiological similarity, the findings now obtained can be extended to women of other Brazilian states, especially those in the Northeastern region.

Prevalence, temporal trend and associated factors with excess body weight in mothers of children under five years

“…This aspect demands a great deal of attention from public policy managers because accumulated fat in the visceral region is an important independent risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders, such as high blood pressure [32,33]. A recent publication based on the 2015 sample of the present study [34] compared the capacities of excess weight, high %BF and waist-height ratio (an indicator of abdominal obesity) to identify high blood pressure. The waist-height ratio was the indicator with the best accuracy, showing that the accumulation of fat in the abdominal region is more harmful to an individual's health than the generalized excess fat.…”

Risk factors for infectious complications following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy

“…The Youden index (J), defined as the maximum vertical distance between the ROC curve and the diagonal line, serves as another global measure of overall diagnostic accuracy and can be used to choose the optimal cut-off point. 22 The Youden index (J) was calculated using the following formula 23 : J=(sensitivity + specificity)−1. The highest value of J was assumed to be the best cut-off point.…”

Effect of Combined Training on Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer: Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Body composition was veri ed through the following indicators: 1) Body Mass Index (BMI) = body mass(Kg)/height(m) 2 [26]; 2) Weight (kg) [29]; 3) Waist Hip Ratio (WHR)= (Waist Circumference (WC) (cm)/hip circumference(cm)) [27]; 4) Waist Height Ratio (RCEST): (Waist circumference(cm)/height(cm)) [27]; 5) Conicity Index (C Index)= (WC(m)/0.109 square root: weight(kg)/height(m)) [27]; 6) Reciprocal Ponderal Index (RPI)= (height(cm)/cubic root of body weight (kg)) [28]; 7) Percentage of Fat (%F) for women = ((5.03/BD)-4.59]*100 and the Body Density (BD) = 1.0994921 − 0.0009929(X1) + 0.0000023(X1)²-0.0001392(X2)), where BD: Body Density; X1 = Σ three folds (triceps, supra iliac, and thigh) and X2 = age (years) [29]; 8) Circumference of the abdomen, waist, hip, and right and left thighs were measured using a tape measure (Sanny® Brazil) with a precision of 0.1 cm [29]; 9) Fat-free mass (Kg)= (actual weight -fat weight) [29].…”