Waist-to-hip Ratio Measurements Research Articles

Impact of Visceral Obesity on Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life for Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Secondary Data Analysis of STaMINA (BMT CTN 0702) Trial

Obesity is a common health problem among multiple myeloma (MM) patients, and it has been linked to poor clinical outcomes and quality of life (QOL). We conducted a secondary analysis of the BMT CTN 0702, a randomized, controlled trial comparing outcomes of three treatment interventions after a single hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) (N = 758), to investigate the impact of visceral obesity, as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), on clinical outcomes and QOL in MM patients. A total of 549 MM patients, median age 55.5 years, were enrolled in the study. The majority of patients received triple-drug antimyeloma initial therapy before enrollment, and 29% had high- risk disease according to cytogenetic assessment. The median follow-up time was 6 years. There was no significant association between WHR and progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) in MM patients undergoing HCT. Similarly, body mass index (BMI) did not significantly predict PFS or OS. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between WHR and QOL measures. In conclusion, this study suggests that visceral obesity, as measured by WHR, may not have a significant impact on clinical outcomes in MM patients undergoing HCT. These findings add to the existing literature on the topic and provide valuable information for healthcare professionals and MM patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and to investigate other potential factors that may affect clinical outcomes and QOL in this patient population using modern imaging technologies to assess visceral obesity.

Analysis of Waist-to-Hip and Height Ratio on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major global health issue affecting people of all ages, including those in their prime of life. Even though there are several risk factors for CVD, prevention depends on early identification. Moreover, Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) are predictors of cardiovascular disease that are easy to do and can be used for early detection of CVD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between WHR and WHtR with the risk of CVD in the productive age group. The study used a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling involving 150 respondents aged 25-64. WHR and WHtR measurements as predictors and CVD risk scores were calculated using the Jakarta Cardiovascular Score (JCS). This study was analyzed with the Spearman's Rho test. The majority of women's WHR increased with low CVD risk, the majority of men's WHR increased with high CVD risk, and the majority of WHtR in both men and women increased with low CVD risk. There is a relationship between WHR and the risk of CVD with JCS in productive age (p=0.000, r = 0.535) and a relationship between WHtR and the risk of CVD with JCS (p=0.000, r = 0.332). The study suggests that WHR and WHtR are significant measurements in cardiovascular assessment to prevent cardiovascular disease in the productive age group.

A cross-sectional study on the prevalence rate and influencing factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in overweight/obese children

To investigate the prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital, and to explore the influencing factors of NAFLD, in order to provide a basis for the prevention of NAFLD in overweight/obese children. Overweight/obese children who visited Hunan Children's Hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were recruited. The prevalence rate of NAFLD was examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing the development of NAFLD [non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of the influencing factors for NAFL and NASH. A total of 844 overweight/obese children aged 6-17 years were enrolled. The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children was 38.2% (322/844), among which the prevalence rates of NAFL and NASH were 28.8% (243/844) and 9.4% (79/844), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were associated with the development of NAFL and NASH (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C had a predictive value for NAFL (area under the curve: 0.653, 95%CI: 0.613-0.694), and for NASH (area under the curve: 0.771, 95%CI: 0.723-0.819). The prevalence rate of NAFLD in overweight/obese children who visit a hospital is high. WHR and HDL-C are associated with the development of NAFLD and the combined measurement of WHR and HDL-C has a certain value for predicating the development of NAFLD.

Relationship between Body Anthropometric Measurement and Parathyroid Hormone in Female Subjects

The distribution of fat tissue is related to the risk of metabolic diseases. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is an essential hormone for calcium homeostasis. According to several types of research, body fat affects PTH levels. Currently, Body Mass Index (BMI) is not the only parameter needed to identify the body fat distribution in accordance with chronic disease risks such as Waist Circumference (WC), Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR), and Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR). The study aimed to determine the relationship between body anthropometric measurement and PTH. A cross-sectional study was performed on a healthy population of 75 healthy female volunteers with a BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2. Waist circumference, WHR, WHtR, and BMI measurements were carried out and followed by the PTH fragment 1-84 (PTH1-84) test. Data were analyzed using the Spearman test with a significance of p&lt;005. There was no significant correlation between PTH and WHR (r=0.057; p=0.628). There was weak correlation between PTH and BMI (r=0.268; p=0.020), WC (r=0.287; p=0.012) and WHtR (r=0.238; p=0.04). Body mass index, WC, and WHtR can be used as anthropometric parameters to determine PTH disorders

Abstract EP43: Obesity And Incident Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): The Jackson Heart Study

Background: Although obesity is a well-established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is unclear which anthropometric measure(s) of obesity are the best predictors of CVD. Methods: Using data from 3491 African Americans (mean age: 58.3±12.1; 65.2% women) in the Jackson Heart Study, we examined the associations of incident CVD and its individual components (Coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, and stroke) with time-dependent obesity measures (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)). Time-to-event analyses were conducted using time-dependent Cox regression models. Obesity measures were analyzed both as dichotomous (obese vs. non-obese) and standardized continuous predictors. Covariates included age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking status. Results: There were 331 incident CVD events, including 122 CHD, 192 heart failure, and 95 stroke events. The median follow-up time is 9.04 (Quartile Range: 1.83) years. Comparing obese to non-obese participants, adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) (95% CI) for CVD were 1.38 (1.10, 1.72), 1.36 (1.05, 1.76), 1.23 (0.80, 1.89), and 1.38 (1.04, 1.82) for BMI, WC, WHtR and WHR, respectively. The corresponding aHRs (95% CI) using standardized continuous BMI, WC, WHtR and WHR measures were 1.27 (1.14, 1.43), 1.32 (1.18, 1.47), 1.31 (1.18, 1.46), and 1.24 (1.12 1.39). The significant associations between CVD and obesity measures were largely driven by heart failure. The associations in younger age group (&lt; 60 yrs) were more significant than those in older age group (&gt;= 60 yrs). Conclusions: Dichotomous and standardized continuous BMI, WC and WHR measures were all associated with incident CVD. For WHtR, only the standardized continuous measure was significantly associated with incident CVD. The risk of CVD associated with obesity is not evident in the elderly.

Impact of changes in waist-to-hip ratio after kidney transplantation on cardiovascular outcomes

Recently, waist to hip ratio (WHR) has been reported to be a better indicator of predicting cardiovascular outcomes than body mass index (BMI). We evaluated the effects of pre or post-transplant changes of WHR or BMI on the new onset cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in recipients of kidney transplantation (KT). A total of 572 patients were enrolled from a multicenter observational cohort (KNOW-KT). Measurement of WHR and BMI was done at pre-KT, first and last visit year after KT, and the changes of these parameters and their effect on the incident CVD were analyzed. During the median follow up period of 32.73 ± 15.26 months, the new onset CVD developed in 31 out of 572 patients. The older age, diabetes mellitus and increase of WHR from pre KT or previous follow up year were found to be independent factors predicting the new onset CVD in these patients. However, baseline BMI, WHR prior to KT did not predict the incident CVD. The new metabolic burden, presented as increase of WHR in KT patients has a critical impact on the development of new onset CVD. Strategies to prevent the metabolic burden after KT might improve cardiovascular outcomes and patient’s survival.

A Multidomain Approach to Assessing the Convergent and Concurrent Validity of a Mobile Application When Compared to Conventional Methods of Determining Body Composition.

Determining body composition via mobile application may circumvent limitations of conventional methods. However, the accuracy of many technologies remains unknown. This investigation assessed the convergent and concurrent validity of a mobile application (LS) that employs 2-dimensional digital photography (LS2D) and 3-dimensional photonic scanning (LS3D). Measures of body composition including circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body fat percentage (BF%) were obtained from 240 healthy adults using LS and a diverse set of conventional methods—Gulick tape, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and skinfolds. Convergent validity was consistently high—indicating these methods vary proportionally and can thus reliably detect changes despite individual measurement differences. The span of the Limits of Agreement (LoA) using LS were comparable to the LoA between conventional methods. LS3D exhibited high agreement relative to Gulick tape in the measurement of WHR, despite poor agreement with individual waist and hip circumferences. In BF%, LS2D exhibited high agreement with BIA and skinfold methods, whereas LS3D demonstrated low agreement. Interestingly, the low inferred bias between LS3D and DXA using existing data suggests that LS3D may have high agreement with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Overall, the suitability of LS2D and LS3D to replace conventional methods must be based on an individual user’s criteria.

Prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of obesity and unrecognized hypertension among bus drivers in Ghana

Obesity and hypertension are public health problems associated with cardiovascular events worldwide. Bus drivers, whose lifestyle is primarily sedentary and characterized by poor eating habits are at increased risk. This study determined the prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of obesity and hypertension among Inter-Regional Metromass Bus Drivers (IRMBDs) in Ghana. This cross-sectional study recruited 527 professional drivers from Metromass Bus stations in Accra and Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics from all participants. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure (BP) were determined. The prevalence of unrecognized hypertension was 38.7%. The prevalence of obesity using BMI, WC, and WHR as obesity indices were 19.0%, 19.9%, and 19.4%, respectively. Use of sleep inhibitors, long-duration sitting and eating late at night were independent risk factors for obesity, regardless of the obesity index used (p < 0.05). Physical inactivity, high caloric intake and eating at stressful periods were independent risk factors for obesity based on WC and WHR measurements (p < 0.05). Ageing, smoking history, alcoholic beverage intake, sleep inhibitor drug use, high calorie intake, long-duration sitting, eating late and under stressful conditions were independent risk factors for hypertension (p < 0.05). There is a high prevalence of unrecognized hypertension and obesity among IRMBDs which were associated with individual lifestyle and behaviours. Increased awareness through educational and screening programs will trigger lifestyle modifications that will reduce cardio-metabolic disease onset and offer clues for better disease predictive, preventive and personalized medicine.

Impact of dropping out of the ‘Sports for Health’ Programme in Grenada

Objective: To determine the reasons for dropping out and if there were any significant differences in body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) between active participants in the Sports for Health programme and participants who were lost to drop out. Methods: Persons who were originally part of the programme and data collection in 2011, but are no longer active participants were evaluated. The evaluation utilized the data from the participants at their last BMI and WHR measurements as programme participants and follow up measurements as non-participants in 2014. Results: Data analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) was signficantly higher in persons who no longer participated in the sports for health programme when compared to active programme participants. In addition, non-participation of persons in the Sports for Health programme was found to increase individual risk factors for chronic diseases, which were originally mitigated by participation in the programme. Barriers to participation by many women in the programme included lack of partner support and negative community perceptions, which influenced several women to discontinue their participation in the programme. Recommendations were made in order to address the barriers to participation and to decrease the drop-out rate in the Sports for Health programme in Grenada. Conclusion: Withdrawal of participation in the Sports for Health programme adversely affects persons BMI and WHR. Interrupted exercise programme contributes to increasing risk factors for several non-communicable chronic diseases.

New indexes of body fat distribution and sex-specific risk of total and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundA number of prior studies have examined the association between anthropometric measures and mortality, but studies investigating the sex-specific predictive value of novel anthropometric measures on mortality are scarce so far. Therefore, we investigated the sex-specific relevance of the new anthropometric measures body adiposity index (BAI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) as well as the common measures body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) for cause-specific mortality risk.MethodsThe analysis was based on data from the German population based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg) Augsburg cohort study. A total of 6670 men and 6637 women aged 25 to 74 years at baseline examination were included. During a mean follow-up period of 15.4 years, 2409 persons died. Via Cox proportional hazard regression, the associations between the different anthropometric measures and all cause-, cardiovascular disease (CVD)- and cancer mortality were assessed.ResultsBMI, WC, and WHR were significantly associated with all-cause and CVD-mortality in both sexes. WC and WHR were particularly associated with higher all-cause and CVD-mortality risk in women, while in men especially WHtR and BAI were strongly related to these outcomes. Females with WC, WHtR, and WHR measures in the 4th quartile compared with women in the 2nd quartile had a higher risk of death from cancer. Contrary, men in the lowest quartile of WC and WHtR in comparison to men in the 2nd quartile had a significantly elevated cancer mortality risk. BAI was no risk predictor for all-cause and cause-specific mortality in women.ConclusionsCentral obesity reflects higher all-cause and CVD-mortality risk particularly in women. BAI and WHtR seem to be valid as risk predictors for all-cause and especially CVD mortality in men but not women. There are marked sex-differences regarding cancer mortality risk for the different anthropometric measures.

Association of body size metrics with left atrial phasic volumes and reservoir function in the elderly.

General obesity, defined by increased body mass index (BMI), is associated with left atrial (LA) enlargement, a marker of cardiovascular risk in the general population. The association between abdominal adiposity, defined by increased waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and LA phasic volumes and reservoir function is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between different body size metrics and LA phasic volumes and reservoir function in the elderly. Participants from the CABL (Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions) study underwent measurement of BMI, WC, and WHR. The LA maximum (LAVmax) and minimum (LAVmin) volumes, and LA reservoir function, measured as total emptying volume index (LAEVI), total emptying fraction (LAEF), and expansion index (LAEI), were assessed by real-time 3D echocardiography. The study population included 629 participants (mean age 71 ± 9 years, 61% women). Mean BMI was 27.9 ± 4.6 kg/m2, WC was 95.0 ± 11.7 cm, WHR was 0.91 ± 0.08. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders (demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular mass index, and diastolic function), higher WC was significantly associated with higher LA phasic volumes (LAVmax, β = 0.10, P = 0.007 and LAVmin, β = 0.12, P = 0.002) and reduced reservoir function (LAEVI, β = -0.15, P = 0.001 and LAEI, β = -0.09, P = 0.027). WHR was significantly associated only with reduced reservoir function (LAEVI, β = -0.11, P = 0.012), whereas BMI was not associated with either LA phasic volumes or reservoir function. In the elderly, WC may have more impact on LA phasic volumes and reservoir function, and therefore risk for cardiovascular events, than WHR and BMI.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is Conversely Correlated to LAMP-2 Gene Expression Level: A Predictor for Lysosomal Lipid Entrance System

Background: Nutritional surveys focused on anthropometric measurements and gene profiles may present early predictors for atherosclerosis. Since lysosomal lipid entrance system is effectively related to the lysosomal membrane LAMP-1/-2 proteins thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between their gene expression levels and anthropometric measurements. Methods: A total of 126 healthy volunteers participated in the study. The LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC values were measured by routine laboratory techniques. The WC, HC, BAI, HC and WHR measures were calculated on the basis of current anthropometric methods. The LAMP-1 and LAMP-2 expression levels were measured by Real Time qPCR technique. Results: The results showed that the HC, WC, WHR and BAI measures are significantly related to BMI value (r 0.6, p 0.0001; r 0.6, p 0.0001; r 0.1, p 0.006; r 0.55, 0.0001, respectively). The LAMP- 2 expression level was conversely related to LDL-C value, based on normal upper range (>130 mg/dl, p<0.005). Furthermore, the LAMP-2 expression level was conversely correlated to WHR (r - 0.35, p 0.009). Conclusion: We proposed that the lysosomal lipid entrance system relates conversely to abdominal adiposity. Furthermore, we suggested that the increase of WHR may indicate the increase of intracellular cholesterol synthesis due to the decrease of cholesterol uptake.

Waist-to-hip measurement ratio among dental students in urban areas

Background: Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an anthropometric measure commonly used to characterize regional adiposity. WHR is a crude estimate of the relative amount of abdominal fat: Higher the hip girth compared to waist girth, the greater the proportion of abdominal fat. As early as the 1980s, several prospective epidemiological studies reported that WHR is a significant predictor of coronary heart disease and death. A large number of studies have since replicated these initial findings, with some reporting that WHR was a stronger predictor of myocardial infarction or mortality risk. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the WHR in among students of the private dental college, to review the usefulness of waist circumference and WHR measures as predictors of non-communicable disease risk and to define the potential cut off points for public health action. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 young adults studying in private dental college were chosen for the study. Students with systemic illness were excluded from the study. The waist and the hip circumferences were measured. The results were recorded and tabulated. Results: The WHR calculated in students found to be significant in 64.28% of the students and it is not significant in 35.72% of the students and most of the students have an appropriate WHR. Conclusion: The research proves that most of the students studying in Saveetha Dental College were found to have normal WHR. The study will aid the physician in earlier identification of various systemic complications such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases by assessing the WHR.

Differences in body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: association with serum adiponectin and disease parameters

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate differences in BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their association with serum adiponectin and disease parameters.Patients and methodsFifty RA patients and 25 matched healthy controls were included. Anthropometric measurements, disease status, and serum adiponectin level were assessed.ResultsOut of 50 RA patients, 48% had normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), 20% had BMI in the range of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2, which is considered to be overweight, and 32% were obese, with BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. Almost similar findings were observed by the measurements of WC− that is, 34% of patients were obese ‘abdominal obesity’. However, the percentage of obese patients increased to 42% when classified as per WHR ‘truncal obesity’. Serum adiponectin was significantly increased in RA patients compared with controls (P=0.002). Significant negative correlations of BMI and WC with serum adiponectin level were found (r=−0.9, P≤0.001; r=−0.7, P≤0.001, respectively). There were positive correlations of WHR with Disease Activity Score 28 (r=0.3, P=0.047), Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.3, P=0.04), and ultrasound Disease Activity Score (r=0.4, P=0.04), whereas there was a significant negative correlation with ultrasound erosion rate (r=−0.3, P=0.02).ConclusionBMI, WC, and WHR measurements should be used and encouraged in the RA population. Our findings suggested that WHR was better associated with disease activity, disability, and severity than with other measures.

SCREENING TOOLS FOR OBESITY

Background: Various anthropometric tools employed to assess obesity includebody mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) amongothers. An increased prevalence of central obesity in Asians calls for evaluation of WHR, WC andBMI as screening tools for obesity among them so as to give a clue about performance of thesescreening measures in detection of obesity. Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study.Setting: Allied Teaching Hospital Faisalabad. Study Period: December, 2014 to November,2015. Methods: 377 patients of essential hypertension screened for obesity, using BMI, WHRand WC as screening tools and analyzed and compared their performance in detecting obesityamong study subjects. Taking BMI as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of WHR andWC was measured along with their positive and negative predictive values. Study subjects werealso categorized according to “BMI trigger points for public health consideration” risk categoriessuggested by WHO for Asian populations. Results: Among 377 study subjects, 239 (63.39%)were categorized as obese by WHR measurements and 254 (67.33%) individuals were labelledas obese by WC measurements compared to 209 by BMI (p-value 0.00 in both cases). Thisshowed a trend towards abdominal pattern of obesity among study subjects. The differencewas significant among male as well as female portions of study population, where out of 249study subjects of male gender, 145 (58.23%) were categorized as obese according to WHR and156 (62.65%) were labelled as obese according to WC, compared to 125 overweight or obeseby BMI (p-value 0.00). Females showed a similar trend with 98 (76.56%) out of 128 labelledas obese by WC and 94 (73.43%) by WHR compared to 84 (65.62%) by BMI. The differencebetween WHR and BMI in detecting obesity among females was a less significant comparedto males. Out of 377 total subjects, 335 fell into increased, high or very high risk categoriesaccording to “BMI trigger points for public health consideration”. WC showed a sensitivity of97.13% and specificity of 69.64% whereas WHR showed a sensitivity of 96.65% and specificityof 77.98% when compared as screening tools with BMI as gold standard. Conclusions: WCperformed better as a screening tool for obesity when compared with WHR among hypertensivepatients. Higher number of obese patients detected by both WC and WHR than BMI showedtendency towards central obesity among study subjects. This difference underscores therelevance of using WC or WHR as measures of obesity especially among Pakistani population.

English

Background: Various anthropometric tools employed to assess obesity includebody mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC) amongothers. An increased prevalence of central obesity in Asians calls for evaluation of WHR, WC andBMI as screening tools for obesity among them so as to give a clue about performance of thesescreening measures in detection of obesity. Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study.Setting: Allied Teaching Hospital Faisalabad. Study Period: December, 2014 to November,2015. Methods: 377 patients of essential hypertension screened for obesity, using BMI, WHRand WC as screening tools and analyzed and compared their performance in detecting obesityamong study subjects. Taking BMI as gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of WHR andWC was measured along with their positive and negative predictive values. Study subjects werealso categorized according to “BMI trigger points for public health consideration” risk categoriessuggested by WHO for Asian populations. Results: Among 377 study subjects, 239 (63.39%)were categorized as obese by WHR measurements and 254 (67.33%) individuals were labelledas obese by WC measurements compared to 209 by BMI (p-value 0.00 in both cases). Thisshowed a trend towards abdominal pattern of obesity among study subjects. The differencewas significant among male as well as female portions of study population, where out of 249study subjects of male gender, 145 (58.23%) were categorized as obese according to WHR and156 (62.65%) were labelled as obese according to WC, compared to 125 overweight or obeseby BMI (p-value 0.00). Females showed a similar trend with 98 (76.56%) out of 128 labelledas obese by WC and 94 (73.43%) by WHR compared to 84 (65.62%) by BMI. The differencebetween WHR and BMI in detecting obesity among females was a less significant comparedto males. Out of 377 total subjects, 335 fell into increased, high or very high risk categoriesaccording to “BMI trigger points for public health consideration”. WC showed a sensitivity of97.13% and specificity of 69.64% whereas WHR showed a sensitivity of 96.65% and specificityof 77.98% when compared as screening tools with BMI as gold standard. Conclusions: WCperformed better as a screening tool for obesity when compared with WHR among hypertensivepatients. Higher number of obese patients detected by both WC and WHR than BMI showedtendency towards central obesity among study subjects. This difference underscores therelevance of using WC or WHR as measures of obesity especially among Pakistani population.

Abdominal adiposity, general obesity, and subclinical systolic dysfunction in the elderly: A population-based cohort study.

General obesity, measured by body mass index (BMI), and abdominal adiposity, measured as waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), are associated with heart failure and cardiovascular events. However, the relationship of general and abdominal obesity with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is unknown. We assessed the association of general and abdominal obesity with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in a population-based elderly cohort. Participants from the Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions study underwent measurement of BMI, WC, and WHR. Left ventricular systolic function was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiographic LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and speckle-tracking global longitudinal strain (GLS). The study population included 729 participants (mean age 71 ± 9 years, 60% women). In multivariate analysis, higher BMI (but not WC and WHR) was associated with higher LVEF (β = 0.11, P = 0.003). Higher WC (β = 0.08, P = 0.038) and higher WHR (β = 0.15, P < 0.001) were associated with lower GLS, whereas BMI was not (P = 0.720). Compared with normal WHR, high WHR was associated with lower GLS in all BMI categories (normal, overweight, and obese), and was associated with subclinical LV dysfunction by GLS both in participants without [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-3.6, P = 0.020] and with general obesity (adjusted OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1-25.9, P = 0.034). WHR was incremental to BMI and risk factors in predicting LV dysfunction. Abdominal adiposity was independently associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction by GLS in all BMI categories. BMI was not associated with LV dysfunction. Increased abdominal adiposity may be a risk factor for LV dysfunction regardless of the presence of general obesity.

Metabolic Syndrome in Relation to Body Mass Index and Waist to Hip Ratio; A Study in Kumasi Metropolis

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and examine the risk associations between obesity indexes [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)], cardiovascular risk factors [plasma glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure] and morbidity conditions (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia) in the Kumasi metropolis. Three hundred and eighty seven Penteco- Charismatic Ghanaian subjects (18–85 years of age) were recruited from Pentecost Church Santasi, and the Bantama and Old Tafo Assembly of God Churches in Kumasi, Ghana. The parameters determined on the subjects included: height; weight; waist and hip circumferences; blood pressure; fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol. There were 267 females (69%) and 120 (31%) males with mean age 41.36 ± 13.59 years. Mean BMI was 25.85 ± 5.89 kg/m2 and 22.61 ± 3.48 kg/m2 in male and female subjects respectively. Mean WC measurement was 35.41 ± 4.93 in and mean WHR was 0.86 ± 0.11. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.0%, while in females and males were 10.86% and 1.67% respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was 5.0%, while in females it was 6.4% and 3.3% in males. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 32.04%, 39.0% in females and males of 16.7%. There were increasing trends between obesity indices and the severity of cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of morbidity conditions (all P-values for trend <0.05). Patients with a greater number of comorbidities also had higher BMI, WC, and WHR measurements (all P-values for the trend were <0.05 with adjustment for age and gender). Hence, despite Penteco-Charismatic Ghanaian subjects being less obese than Caucasians and Western countries, the intimate relationships among obesity, cardiovascular risk factors and morbidity conditions remain. Our data support using BMI and WC as part of routine clinical evaluation of patients to define obesity and its associated health risks. The results suggest that prevention of obesity, particularly central obesity; healthy living, lifestyle modification and exercising could be the most direct route to prevention of Metabolic Syndrome and its complications.

Inter-relationship of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) and subcutaneous fat with blood pressure among university-going Punjabi Sikh and Hindu females

Different anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC) and skin fold thickness are the important indicator to investigate the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the interrelationship between blood pressures with body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and subcutaneous fat. Three hundred university-going Punjabi Sikh and Hindu females were surveyed for blood pressures, pulse rate, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, four skin folds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac). All these measurements were taken from each subject using standard procedure. The relation between blood pressure and different anthropometric variables were assessed in multiple regression models. No significant differences of all the measured mean values of the traits have found between these two groups. However, further analysis of the data showed that BMI, WHR and skin folds measurements have significant (p < 0.05) effect on blood pressure phenotypes. The results of the present cross-sectional study indicated that BMI and WHR would be the good predictors for the chronic disease like hypertension. Primarily among female WHR should be used as a good predictor for elevated blood pressure. Key words: Waist and hip circumferences, body mass index, blood pressure, Punjabi female.

Promoter adiponectin polymorphisms and waist/hip ratio variation in a prospective French adults study

Adiponectin expression and plasma concentrations are decreased in human and animal models of obesity. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene are known to influence the plasmatic concentration of the encoded protein. Some of these adiponectin polymorphisms have been associated with BMI in cross-sectional studies. The aim of our study was to examine the longitudinal relationships between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and anthropometric indices. Two adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) SNPs, -11391G>A and -11377C>G, were genotyped in 837 French Caucasian subjects from the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux Anti-oXydants (SU.VI.MAX) cohort. Anthropometric scores were measured at three clinical examinations over a 7-year period. For -11391G>A as well as for -11377C>G, we detected no association between the variant allele and anthropometric measurements at baseline. Considering longitudinal effects, we detected moderately higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) changes for the carriers of the -11391A (P=0.02) and -11377C (P=0.03) allele over the follow-up of the study. -11391G>A and -11377C>G define haplotypes associated also with WHR measurements and their changes over the follow-up of the study. Diploid configurations that combine -11391A and -11377C were associated with significantly higher WHR changes (DeltaCE: P=0.02) compared to other haplotypes. In addition, higher adiponectin levels were observed in AC/AC diplotypes compared to GG/GG carriers (P<0.0001). In the SU.VI.MAX study, genetic variations in the adiponectin gene affect abdominal fat gain over life span.