Waist Circumference To Height Ratio Research Articles

Comparison of body mass index, waist circumference, and waist to height ratio in the prediction of hypertension and diabetes mellitus: Filipino-American women cardiovascular study.

The relative ability of three obesity indices to predict hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM) and the validity of using Asian-specific thresholds of these indices were examined in Filipino-American women (FAW). Filipino-American women (n = 382), 40–65 years of age were screened for hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM) in four major US cities. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR) were measured. ROC analyses determined that the three obesity measurements were similar in predicting HTN and DM (AUC: 0.6–0.7). The universal WC threshold of ≥ 35 in. missed 13% of the hypertensive patients and 12% of the diabetic patients. The Asian WC threshold of ≥ 31.5 in. increased detection of HTN and DM but with a high rate of false positives. The traditional BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 threshold missed 35% of those with hypertension and 24% of those with diabetes. The Asian BMI threshold improved detection but resulted in a high rate of false positives. The suggested WHtR cut-off of ≥ 0.5 missed only 1% of those with HTN and 0% of those with DM. The three obesity measurements had similar but modest ability to predict HTN and DM in FAW. Using Asian-specific thresholds increased accuracy but with a high rate of false positives. Whether FAW, especially at older ages, should be encouraged to reach these lower thresholds needs further investigation because of the high false positive rates.

Anthropometric predictors of body fat in a large population of 9-year-old school-aged children.

SummaryObjectiveTo develop and cross‐validate predictive models for percentage body fat (%BF) from anthropometric measurements [including BMI z‐score (zBMI) and calf circumference (CC)] excluding skinfold thickness.MethodsA descriptive study was carried out in 3,084 pre‐pubertal children. Regression models and neural network were developed with %BF measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) as the dependent variables and age, sex and anthropometric measurements as independent predictors.ResultsAll %BF grade predictive models presented a good global accuracy (≥91.3%) for obesity discrimination. Both overfat/obese and obese prediction models presented respectively good sensitivity (78.6% and 71.0%), specificity (98.0% and 99.2%) and reliability for positive or negative test results (≥82% and ≥96%). For boys, the order of parameters, by relative weight in the predictive model, was zBMI, height, waist‐circumference‐to‐height‐ratio (WHtR) squared variable (_Q), age, weight, CC_Q and hip circumference (HC)_Q (adjusted r 2 = 0.847 and RMSE = 2.852); for girls it was zBMI, WHtR_Q, height, age, HC_Q and CC_Q (adjusted r 2 = 0.872 and RMSE = 2.171).Conclusion%BF can be graded and predicted with relative accuracy from anthropometric measurements excluding skinfold thickness. Fitness and cross‐validation results showed that our multivariable regression model performed better in this population than did some previously published models.

Lipid accumulation product (LAP) and waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR) associated with free androgen index but not with serum testosterone and androstendione in women with PCOS

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Exploring the relationship between adolescent physical activity and anthropometric parameters

To investigate the contribution of objectively measured light, moderate and vigorous physical activity to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference-to-height ratio (WCHt) in adolescents. A total of 694 adolescents (12–18 years) from six secondary schools in Auckland and two in Wellington, New Zealand, participated in the Built Environment and Physical Activity in New Zealand Adolescents study between February 2013 and September 2014. Light, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity was objectively assessed using ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers, which were worn for an 8-day period. Participants’ weight, height and waist circumference were measured to calculate BMI and WCHt. Multiple linear regression was used to characterize independent continuous associations between the percentages of wear time spent in each physical activity intensity with BMI and WCHt. Vigorous activity was inversely independently associated with WCHt (R 2 = 0.013, p < 0.01), whereas both light (R 2 = 0.053, p < 0.01) and moderate (R 2 = 0.036, p < 0.01) physical activity show significant, positive independent relationships with WCHt and BMI. Only vigorous intensity physical activity was associated with key positive health outcomes in adolescents. Our data support the concept of emphasizing the importance of vigorous activity in youth physical activity guidelines.

Adiposity predicts vitamin D status of children

A negative association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, regarded as the accepted marker of vitamin D status, and adiposity has been found in adults. However, whether a similar relationship exists in children remains unclear. Using a nationally representative sample of children age 6 – 18 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 (n=2838), we compared serum 25(OH)D levels with measures of adiposity (weight, waist circumference (WC), WC to height ratio (WCHt), body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, and % body fat). Based on serum 25(OH)D concentrations, 10.5 ± 1.5% of the children were vitamin D deficient (< 15 ng/mL) and 63 ± 2.2% were vitamin D insufficient (15-29 ng/mL). Controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and poverty income ratio, markers of adiposity were strongly related to 25(OH)D levels by linear regression analysis: weight (P=0.026), WC (P=0.016), WCHt (P=0.015), BMI (P= 0.017) and triceps skin fold thickness (P= 0.021). A subgroup analysis (n=2086; 8-18 years) of % body fat measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was especially strongly related to serum 25(OH)D levels (P< 0.0001). Possible explanations may include sequestration of vitamin D by excess body fat or modulation of adipogenesis through vitamin D receptor-dependent pathways. In conclusion, low 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with increased adiposity and are common among children .

Risk of breast, endometrial, colorectal, and renal cancers in postmenopausal women in association with a body shape index and other anthropometric measures.

A body shape index (ABSI) has been proposed as a possible improvement over waist circumference (WC) as a marker of abdominal adiposity because it removes the correlation of WC with body mass index (BMI) and with height. We assessed the association of ABSI with four obesity-related cancers compared to that of other anthropometric measures of adiposity. We used data from the Women's Health Initiative, a large cohort of postmenopausal women, recruited between 1993 and 1998 and followed until September 2013, to assess the associations of ABSI and other anthropometric measures with risk of cancers of the breast, endometrium, colorectum, and kidney. The four comparison anthropometric measures were BMI, WC, waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Over a median of 12.7years of follow-up, among 143,901 women, we identified 7,039 invasive breast cancers, 1,157 endometrial cancers, 1,908 colorectal cancers, and 376 kidney cancers. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the association of quintiles of the five measures with risk of the four cancers. Unlike the other anthropometric indices, ABSI was not associated with increased risk of breast or endometrial cancer. BMI and WC were comparable as predictors of breast and endometrial cancer, and these associations were unchanged after mutual adjustment. For colorectal and kidney cancers, ABSI was a significant predictor comparable to BMI; however, WC showed the strongest association with colorectal cancer, and WC, WHtR, and WHR all showed stronger associations with kidney cancer. In contrast to other anthropometric measures, ABSI showed no association with risk of breast or endometrial cancer and was more weakly associated with risk of colorectal and kidney cancers compared to more established measures of central adiposity.

Waist circumference to height ratio in children and adolescents.

Waist circumference (WC) to height ratio (WC/HT) is used as a measure of central obesity. However, the optimum ratio that will separate populations with high from low cardiovascular risk remains controversial. This investigation evaluates an optimum WC/HT value to define central obesity in children. The sensitivity and specificity of WC/HT in 649 children (age 2-18 years) without evidence of heart disease were analyzed for WC and for body mass index (BMI). A WC/HT ≥0.5 resulted in sensitivity:specificity of 99%:72% for detecting central obesity and 83%:77% for detecting overweight (BMI ≥85th percentile) subjects. A value of WC/HT ≥0.55 yielded sensitivity:specificity of 80%:96% for detecting central obesity and 75%:94% for detecting subjects with obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile). The use of WC/HT between ≥0.5 and <0.55 identified subjects at-risk for central obesity and WC/HT ≥0.55 identified central obesity with a high probability.

Longitudinal association of anthropometric measures of adiposity with cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal women

PurposeSome studies suggest that anthropometric measures of abdominal obesity may be superior to body mass index (BMI) for the prediction of cardiometabolic risk factors; however, most studies have been cross-sectional. Our aim was to prospectively examine the association of change in BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), and waist circumference-to-height ratio (WCHtR) with change in markers of cardiometabolic risk in a population of postmenopausal women. MethodsWe used a subsample of participants in the Women's Health Initiative aged 50 to 79 years at entry with available fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements obtained at multiple time points over 12.8 years of follow-up (n = 2672). The blood samples were used to measure blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides at baseline, and at years 1, 3, and 6. We conducted mixed-effects linear regression analyses to examine associations at baseline and longitudinal associations between change in anthropometric measures and change in cardiometabolic risk factors, adjusting for covariates. ResultsIn longitudinal analyses, change in BMI, WC, and WCHtR robustly predicted change in cardiometabolic risk, whereas change in WHR did not. The strongest associations were seen for change in triglycerides, glucose, and HDL-C (inverse association). ConclusionIncrease in BMI, WC, and WCHtR strongly predicted increases in serum triglycerides and glucose, and reduced HDL-C. WC and WCHtR were superior to BMI in predicting serum glucose, HDL-C, and triglycerides. WCHtR was superior to WC only in predicting serum glucose. BMI, WC, and WCHtR were all superior to WHR.

Modification of genetic influences on adiposity between 36 and 63 years of age by physical activity and smoking in the 1946 British Birth Cohort Study.

Background:Previous studies reporting on the interaction between physical activity and genetic susceptibility on obesity have been cross-sectional and have not considered the potential influences of other lifestyle behaviours. The aim of this study was to examine modification of genetic influences on changes across age in adiposity during mid-adulthood by physical activity and smoking.Methods:The sample comprised 2444 participants who were genotyped for 11 obesity variants and had body mass index (BMI), waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR), physical activity and smoking measures at 36, 43, 53 and 60–64 years of age. A genetic risk score (GRS) comprising the sum of risk alleles was computed. Structural equation models investigated modification of the longitudinal GRS associations by physical activity (active versus inactive) and smoking (non-smoker versus smoker), using a latent linear spline to summarise BMI or WHtR (multiplied by 100) at the age of 36 years and their subsequent rates of change over age.Results:Physical activity at the age of 36 years attenuated the GRS associations with BMI and WHtR at the same age (P-interaction 0.009 and 0.004, respectively). Further, physical activity at the age of 53 years attenuated the GRS association with rate of change in BMI between 53 and 63 years of age (by 0.012 kg m−2 per year (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.001, 0.024), P-interaction 0.004). Conversely, smoking at the age of 43 years showed a trend towards augmenting the GRS association with rate of change in WHtR between 43 and 63 years of age (by 0.012 (95% CI: 0.001, 0.026), P-interaction 0.07). Estimated GRS effect sizes were lowest at all ages in the healthiest group (e.g., active non-smokers).Conclusions:Healthy lifestyle behaviours appeared to attenuate the genetic influence on changes across age in BMI and central adiposity during mid-adulthood. An active lifestyle and not smoking may have additive effects on reducing the genetic susceptibility to obesity in adults.

Food intake in obese children and adolescents at higher risk for metabolic syndrome

Objective: The epidemic of childhood obesity is followed by increasing prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS). Visceral adiposity is described in MS and waist circumference (WC) is a marker of upper body fat accumulation: in particular WC to height ratio (WHtR) seems a simple tool for detecting visceral adiposity in children. A cut-off value of 0.62 has been reported to identify children at increased risk of MS.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on serum concentration of apelin-13 and new obesity indices in healthy adult men

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine how Ramadan fasting (RF) affected the recently described new obesity indices [visceral adiposity index (VAI), waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR), body adiposity index (BAI)], and serum concentration of apelin-13 (RF) in healthy adult men.Material/MethodsFor this purpose, 42 healthy adult men were selected. Anthropometric parameters were measured and a sample of venous blood was obtained for biochemical assays on the first and last days of Ramadan.When all subjects were evaluated, all anthropometric parameters changed except VAI. Serum apelin-13, triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin levels did not change. When patients were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI), BAI decreased in normal-weight subjects and WHtR decreased in other groups, but VAI and apelin-13 did not change in any groups.ResultsWe demonstrate for the first time that while some anthropometric parameters changed, VAI and serum apelin-13 levels did not change with RF. BMI, waist circumference (WC), TG, and HDL-C were evaluated together in calculation of VAI. TG, VAI, and HDL-C remained unchanged by RF. Even if body weight (BW) and BMI decreased, apelin-13 was not affected by RF. The data on serum apelin-13 may have been influenced by the small-percentage decrease in BW, as well as insignificant improvements in metabolic parameters such as lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin.ConclusionsWe found that Ramadan fasting in healthy adult men was associated with significant decreases in BW, BMI, WHtR, and BAI, but we found no significant changes in VAI and serum apelin-13 concentrations.

Reduction of health risk factors through an adapted physical activity program in patients with breast cancer

After a breast cancer diagnosis, patients are at high risk of reducing their physical activity and gaining weight. Lack of physical activity and weight gain are known negative but modifiable prognostic factors. An observational study of a 3-month adapted physical activity (APA) program was performed to assess its effectiveness in improving physical activity level and reducing risk factors related to health during or after breast cancer treatments. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured at the beginning and end of the 26-session program. Body mass index (BMI) and WC to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Physical activity profile, aerobic capacity, and usual average daily energy expenditure were estimated. Median values were compared using nonparametric tests. Sixty-one (61) voluntary breast cancer patients attended 80% of the sessions. At baseline, median (minimum-maximum) BMI was 23.3 (16.1-36.8) kg.m(-2) and WC and WHtR showed metabolic risks. After 3 months, anthropometric data remained stable. Moderate physical activity significantly improved (+13 min/day) and sedentary tended to decrease (-18 min/day). A 3-month APA program allows patients to limit risk factors related to health such as physical inactivity and metabolic risks. This study reinforces the need to promote physical activity as early as possible in cancer patients' care.

Individualized feedback during summer camp influences anthropometric changes in California's Central Valley overweight youth

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of individualized feedback on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight youth (body mass index for age &gt;; 85th percentile) within nutrition and physical activity themed camp. During summer 2012, 56 youth, 9–13 yrs, participated in a six week Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Camp (HLFC). The camp included 3 hours daily exercise and weekly nutrition lessons taught by UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program. A randomly selected subgroup (HLFC+, n=11) wore accelerometer watches, provided diet information, and received individualized feedback pre, post and two month after camp. A control group (n = 30) was followed without exposure to HLFC. Trained staff measured the youths’ weights, heights, and waist circumferences. Significant differences were observed pre‐post camp in waist circumference to height ratio (WCHtR) between HLFC (‐0.03) and control (‐0.01) (t‐test, p=0.01). Greater WCHtR change was observed at two month in HLFC+ (‐0.06) compared to other HLFC campers (‐0.04) (t‐test, p=0.03). Nutrition and physical activity themed camps with individualized feedback may play a role in longer term risk reduction in overweight youth.

Waist circumference-to-height ratio predicts adiposity better than body mass index in children and adolescents

Body mass index (BMI) is the surrogate measure of adiposity most commonly employed in children and adults. Waist circumference (WC) and the waist circumference-to-height ratio (WCHt) have been proposed as markers of adiposity-related morbidity in children. However, no study to date has compared WCHt, WC, BMI and skinfolds thickness for their ability to detect body adiposity. To compare WCHt, WC, BMI and skinfolds for their accuracy in predicting percent body fat (PBF), percent trunk fat (PTF) and fat mass index (FMI) in a large sample of children and adolescents. We studied 2339 children and adolescents aged 8-18 years from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003/2004. Body fat was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable regression splines were used to model the association between PBF, PTF, FMI and the predictors of interest. WCHt alone explained 64% of PBF variance as compared with 31% for WC, 32% for BMI and 72% for the sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds (SF2) (P<0.001 for all). When age and gender were added to the predictors, the explained variance increased to 80% for the WCHt model, 72% for the WC model, 68% for the BMI model and 84% for the SF2 model. There was no practical advantage to add the ethnic group as further predictor. Similar relationships were observed with PTF and FMI. WCHt is better than WC and BMI at predicting adiposity in children and adolescents. It can be a useful surrogate of body adiposity when skinfold measurements are not available.

Association of Anthropometric Measurements with Components of Metabolic Syndrome and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Young Healthy Taiwanese

Background The degree of vascular changes and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities may differ from the distribution of body fat. We investigated the association of anthropometric measurements with vascular changes and components of metabolic syndrome (Mets). Materials and methods One hundred and eleven volunteers (48 women, 63 men) were recruited. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), and waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHeiR). The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by using B-mode ultrasonography. Correlations between anthropometric measures, components of Mets, and carotid IMT were analyzed. Results All anthropometric measurements significantly correlated with components of Mets. Carotid IMT correlated with sex, age, blood pressure, body weight, BMI, WC, hip circumference (HC), WHR, WHeiR, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile. BMI ( r = 0.455) showed the strongest correlation followed by WC ( r = 0.405), WHeiR ( r = 0.405) and WHR ( r = 0.365) with carotid IMT. Only age, sex, and BMI were significant correlates of IMT in multivariate linear analysis. Conclusion General adiposity as measured by BMI, rather than abdominal fat, is significantly correlated with carotid IMT in healthy young Taiwanese individuals.

Television viewing and intake of added sugars related to increased central adiposity in prepubertal children

Central adiposity is related to insulin resistance and may be the most clinically relevant body fat in children as is the case in adults. This study aimed to determine relationships between child's television viewing (TV), aerobic fitness, diet and central adiposity in 172 prepubertal children (8–9 years). Parents reported child's weekday and weekend TV viewing. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and one 24‐hour recall assessed fitness and diet, respectively. Dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry was used to measure percent fat mass (%Fat) and central adiposity (FM‐abd). Waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR) was also measured. Aerobic fitness was not related to TV, however, it was negatively related to %FM (r=−0.49, p &lt; 0.01) and FM‐abd (r=−0.41, p &lt; 0.01). Weekday and weekend TV was positively related to FM‐abd (r=0.18, p=0.02 and r=0.20, p=0.01). After adjusting for VO2max and total diet energy density (kcals/g), added sugars (g) positively related to FM‐abd (r=0.18, p=0.03). To further assess central adiposity, children were classified as normal (n=129) or obese (n=43) based on the 0.5 cut off for WHtR. Obese children had significantly higher weekday TV (p=0.03) and consumed higher amounts of added sugars (p=0.02). Our findings suggest that central adiposity is related to increased intake of added sugars independent of aerobic fitness and energy density in prepubertal children. (Funding source: NIH HD055352)Grant Funding Source: NIH HD055352

The effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity

To investigate the effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity. The birth and growth data of 258 children of 6 to 7 years old in Guangzhou were collected from Jun.2009 to Feb. 2010. Physical and laboratory examination were preformed, which included body weight, body height and body fat composition index (body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), waist circumference to height ratio (WtHR), etc). Fasting blood glucose and insulin were measured. The homeostasis model assessment model for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. According to birth weight, the children were divided into three groups from light to heavy: BW-I, BW-II, BW-III group. Then according to change in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months, the children were divided into three groups: changers up (CU), non-changers (NC), changers down (CD) group. The effect of birth weight and early growth on body fat composition and insulin sensitivity were analyzed. Change in weight SDS between 0 and 36 months was higher in BW-I group (1.06 ± 1.29) than in the BW-II group (-0.19 ± 0.94) and BW-III group (-0.10 ± 1.20) (all P values < 0.01). Birth weight of the CU group ((2.90 ± 0.47) kg) was lower than that of the NC group ((3.22 ± 0.34) kg) and the CD group ((3.57 ± 0.37) kg) (all P values < 0.01). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III group ((16.35 ± 2.13) kg/m(2), (17.03 ± 5.88)%, (0.479 ± 0.033)) than in the BW-I group ((15.46 ± 2.06) kg/m(2), (14.06 ± 5.25)%, (0.459 ± 0.032)) and BW-II group ((15.47 ± 1.58) kg/m(2), (14.09 ± 5.01)%, (0.460 ± 0.025)) (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I group and the BW-II group (P > 0.05). The body fat composition index of BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the CU group ((16.44 ± 2.20) kg/m(2), (16.51 ± 5.78)%, (0.473 ± 0.034)) than in the NC group ((15.62 ± 1.74) kg/m(2), (14.49 ± 5.30)%, (0.463 ± 0.030)) and the CD group ((15.26 ± 1.85) kg/m(2), (14.24 ± 5.54)%, (0.462 ± 0.031)) (all P values < 0.05). In the CU group, BMI, PBF and WtHR were higher in the BW-III-CU group ((18.76 ± 2.56) kg/m(2), (22.19 ± 8.28)%, (0.512 ± 0.029)) than in the BW-I-CU group ((16.04 ± 2.14) kg/m(2), (15.54 ± 5.28)%, (0.467 ± 0.034)) and BW-II-CU group ((16.70 ± 1.36) kg/m(2), (17.12 ± 4.44)%, (0.474 ± 0.017)) (all P values < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU group and the BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05). HOMA-IR was higher in the CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) than in the NC group (1.08 ± 0.31) and the CD group (1.00 ± 0.36) (all P values < 0.01). In the CU group, HOMA-IR was higher in the BW-III-CU group (1.69 ± 0.48) than in the BW-I-CU group (1.21 ± 0.41) and the BW-II-CU group (1.27 ± 0.44) (all P values < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the BW-I-CU and BW-II-CU group (P > 0.05). According to birth weight tertile, both lower birth weight individuals with more weight change-up growth postnatal early and higher birth weight individuals had greater body fat composition in childhood. They were high-risk people of insulin resistance.

Waist-to-height Ratio, a Simple and Practical Index for Screening of Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Aged 17~19 Years

Purpose: To evaluate the validity and usefulness of the waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) in screening for metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents aged 17∼19 years. Methods: Data (body mass index, waist circumference, and height) and blood samples were obtained from adolescents in A University Hospital in 2011. This study included 554 adolescents (176 boys and 378 girls) aged 17∼19 years. Dependent variables were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Using the Pearson’s correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis, we measured the WHtR against Body mass index (BMI). Results: An assessment was carried out of the ability of the 2 indexes to 1) account for the variability in each metabolic risk factor and 2) correctly identify adolescents with metabolic risk factors. The results revealed that the predictive abilities of the waist-to-height ratio index were better values. The waistto-height ratio showed superior values in predicting concentrat ions of DBP, FBS, TC, TG and LDL-C. However, BMI showed better values in identifying adolescents with high systolic blood pressure and HDL-C. 3) Normal weight adolescents (BMI: 5 th ≤BMI＜85 th percentiles) were divided by WHtR (obesity cutoff value: ≥0.51 in male, ≥0.49 in female). WHtR was better than the BMI index for signaling metabolic risk in the normal-weight adolescents. Conclusion: The WHtR is a better predictor for finding metabolic risk factors in adolescents aged 17∼19 years with normal BMI. The WHtR is proposed as an alternative, convenient measure of screening metabolic syndrome for adolescents aged 17∼19 years independent of age and sex. (Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2011; 14: 385∼392)

Combined effect of C-reactive protein gene SNP +2147 A/G and interleukin-6 receptor gene SNP rs2229238 C/T on anthropometric characteristics among school children in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to explore the combined effect of the C-reactive protein (CRP) +2147 A/G (rs1205) and interleukin (IL)-6R rs2229238 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the anthropometric variables of school children in Taiwan. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using the data from the Taipei Children Heart Study-II. After multi-stage sampling, we selected 430 boys and 463 girls with an average age of 13.1 years. We genotyped these individuals for the CRP +2147 A/G and IL-6R rs2229238 C/T SNPs using a TaqMan 5' nuclease assay. Anthropometric characteristics, which included body height, body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body fat percentage (BF), and waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR), were measured/calculated. When considering the CRP +2147 A/G polymorphism, GG genotype boys were heavier and had larger BMI, WC, HC, BF and WHtR than A allele carriers. The odds ratio (OR) of larger WHtR in GG genotype boys was 2.14 (95% CI: 1.09-4.21). For the IL-6R rs2229238 C/T polymorphism, T allele carrier girls had larger WC and WHtR than those carrying the CC genotype. The OR of a larger HC for T allele carrier boys was 2.33 (95% CI: 1.16-4.68). Boys with the GG genotype of CRP +2147 A/G and the CC genotype of IL-6R rs2229238 C/T had higher OR for BW, BMI, WC, HC, BF and WHtR than boys who were carriers of the A allele of CRP +2147 A/G and had the CC genotype of IL-6R rs2229238 C/T (OR range=3.86-8.04, all P<0.05). Boys who carry the GG genotype of CRP +2147 A/G and the CC genotype of IL-6R rs2229238 C/T have a greater risk of having abnormal BW, BMI, WC, HC, BF and WHtR and of developing obesity than individuals who do not have these genotypes.

Diagnostic utility of recommended anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values in predicting fasting blood glucose among public service workers in Trinidad

In this study we compared the diagnostic utility of several anthropometric and body composition measures in predicting elevated fasting blood sugar (FBS). Participant had overnight FBS analyzed with a hand‐held automated glucometer (Basic One‐touch Ultra). Waist circumference (WC), height (Ht) and weight(Wt)were measured using standard procedure. These were used to calculate BMI and waist circumference‐to‐height ratio (WHr). Percentage body fat (%BF) was measured by foot‐to‐foot bioelectric impedance (Tanita UM026).To determine diagnostic utility of the various measures, sensitivities, specificities and area under the operator receiver curve (AUC) were computed using recommended cut‐off values. 157 persons participated in the study (females = 90; males = 67). FBS was significantly correlated with Wt, WC, fat mass, and BMI in both groups. %BF was significantly associated with FBS in females only. Sensitivities for the various anthropometric and body composition cut‐off values range from 53%‐85% in males and 61%‐100% among females. Specificities range from 45%‐88% in males and 42%‐79% among females. AUC analyses suggest that BMI&gt;25, WC, WHr were be superior indices for predicting elevated FBS among females only. Our results suggest that among participants several indices were useful in predicting FBS, however, this ability to predict was gender specific.