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European Journal of Nutrition

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Open Access 01-02-2013 | Original Contribution

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

Authors: Wen-Cheng Li, I-Chuan Chen, Yu-Che Chang, Song-Seng Loke, Shih-Hao Wang, Kuang-Yu Hsiao

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiometabolic risk.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 21,038 men and 15,604 women who participated in a health check-up were included.

Results

In 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).

Conclusion

Among 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.

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Title: Waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and body mass index as indices of cardiometabolic risk among 36,642 Taiwanese adults
Authors: Wen-Cheng Li
I-Chuan Chen
Yu-Che Chang
Song-Seng Loke
Shih-Hao Wang
Kuang-Yu Hsiao
Publication date: 01-02-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-011-0286-0

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Conclusion

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