Waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and body mass index as indices of cardiometabolic risk among 36,642 Taiwanese adults

Abstract

PurposeWe aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiometabolic risk.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 21,038 men and 15,604 women who participated in a health check-up were included.ResultsIn both men and women, the area under the curve (AUC) of WHtR was significantly greater than that of BMI or WC in the prediction of diabetes, hypertension, high total cholesterol, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05 for all). The AUC for WHtR in the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MS) was also highest in the women (P < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for MS for each standard deviation increase in BMI, WHtR, and WC were 1.47 (1.46–1.49), 1.32 (1.31–1.33), and 1.19 (1.18–1.19), respectively. Finally, patients of either sex with a normal BMI or WC level, but with an elevated WHtR, had higher levels of various cardiometabolic risk factors in comparison with their normal BMI or WC, but low WHtR, counterparts (P < 0.05 for all).ConclusionAmong Taiwanese adults, a WHtR greater than 0.5 is a simple, yet effective indicator of centralized obesity and associated cardiometabolic risk, even among individuals deemed ‘healthy’ according to BMI and WC.

Obesity indices comparison and its correlation with random blood sugar and blood pressure in adults in rural field practice area of a medical college

“…23 In the present study also, it was found that individuals who were normal and overweight according to BMI, found to be obese according to WHtR greater than 0.5.…”

Association between Low Birth Weight and High Adult Waist-to-Height Ratio in Non-Obese Women: A Cross-sectional Study in a Japanese Population

“…In addition, a previous study reported the superiority of the waist-to-height ratio as an anthropometric index to evaluate clustering of coronary risk factors among nonobese men and women, compared with waist circumference (Hsieh and Muto 2005). Among Taiwanese adults, persons of either sex with a normal BMI or waist circumference, but with an elevated waist-to-height ratio, had higher of various cardio-metabolic risk factors (Li et al 2011). Thus, even among non-obese women, low birth weight infants with a higher adult waist-to-height ratio might have an increased risk of cardiovascular disaese.…”

A New Index of Abdominal Obesity which Effectively Predicts Risk of Colon Tumor Development in Female Japanese

“…Among Taiwanese adults, a waist-to-height ratio greater than 0.5 is a simple, yet effective indicator of centralized obesity and associated cardio-metabolic risk, even among individuals deemed 'healthy' according to BMI and WC (Li et al, 2013). Recent systemic review and meta-analysis also demonstrate that waist-to-height ratio is a better screening tool than WC and BMI in predicting cardio-metabolic risk (Ashwell et al, 2012).…”