Abstract
BackgroundWaist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are often used as indices predictive of central obesity. The aims of this study were: 1) to obtain smoothed centile charts and LMS tables for WC and WHtR among Colombian children and adolescents; 2) to evaluate the utility of these parameters as predictors of overweight and obesity.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted of a sample population of 7954 healthy Colombian schoolchildren [3460 boys and 4494 girls, mean age 12.8 (±2.3) years]. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), WC and WHtR were measured, and percentiles were calculated using the LMS method (Box-Cox, median and coefficient of variation). Appropriate cut-off points of WC and WHtR for overweight and obesity, according to International Obesity Task Force definitions, were selected using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The discriminating power of WC and WHtR is expressed as area under the curve (AUC).ResultsReference values for WC and WHtR are presented. Mean WC increased and WHtR decreased with age for both genders. A moderate positive correlation was observed between WC and BMI (r = 0.756, P < 0.01) and between WHtR and BMI (r = 0.604, P < 0.01). ROC analysis revealed strong discrimination power in the identification of overweight and obesity for both measures in our sample population. Overall, WHtR was a slightly better predictor of overweight/obesity (AUC 95% CI 0.868–0.916) than WC (AUC 95% CI 0.862–0.904).ConclusionThis paper presents the first sex and age-specific WC and WHtR percentiles for Colombian children and adolescents aged 9.0–17.9 years. The LMS tables obtained, based on Colombian reference data, can be used as quantitative tools for the study of obesity and its comorbidities.
Highlights
Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are often used as indices predictive of central obesity
Mean waist circumference (WC) increased and WHtR decreased with age for both genders
A moderate positive correlation was observed between WC and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.756, P < 0.01) and between WHtR and BMI (r = 0.604, P < 0.01)
Summary
Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are often used as indices predictive of central obesity. Body fat in general and abdominal fat in particular are often studied using anthropometric indicators such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) [8, 10, 11]. These indicators are simple to measure and calculate, inexpensive and applicable to a large number of individuals in epidemiological studies and clinical practice [10,11,12,13,14]. The two most widely used definitions of abdominal fat are those of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP: ATPIII) and of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Both focus on WC, as a surrogate measure of central obesity [5, 14]. Ashwell et al [10], in a meta-analysis, confirmed that measures of abdominal obesity, especially WHtR, provide a superior tool for discriminating obesity-related cardiometabolic risk, compared with BMI
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
