Use of the waist–height ratio to predict metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents

Abstract

To demonstrate that the waist-height ratio (WHtR) is a simple and effective screening tool that could be used to identify obese children with the metabolic syndrome. Data from 109 obese boys and girls, aged 10.00-16.50 years, who were recruited as part of the Eat Smart study were analysed. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins), insulin, glucose, height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were collected. These measurements were used to calculate WHtR, body mass index (BMI), Z-scores for BMI, WC, weight and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Correlations between anthropometric measures and blood pressure, lipids, insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR were assessed. Binary logistic regression was used to test which anthropometric measure was a significant predictor of the metabolic syndrome. Among boys, WHtR was negatively correlated with glucose (P < 0.05); WHtR and BMI Z-score were positively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and TG (P < 0.05) and WC Z-score was significantly correlated with age. Among girls, WHtR, BMI Z-score and WC Z-score were positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.05), whereas BMI Z-score was significantly correlated with SBP and DBP Z-scores. Twenty per cent of subjects were classified as having the metabolic syndrome, with WHtR, BMI Z-score and HOMA-IR being significant predictors. The WHtR is a significant predictor of the metabolic syndrome in obese youth. The WHtR is the simplest index to calculate and interpret, making it an ideal non-invasive screening tool to use in clinical practice.