ABSTRACT
Epidemiological studies find that obesity is associated with hypertension and diabetes. Therefore it is essential to identify simple and practical anthropometric indices which can predict these diseases. Study the association and the predictability of diabetes and hypertension by the four different anthropometric indices [BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip and waist/height ratios] in a group of patients attending family medicine clinic at Jordan University Hospital. A cross-sectional clinic based survey was carried out over an eight- month period. Data for 936 Jordanian patients [573 females and 363 males] aged 25-74 years were collected for the study. Status regarding diabetes and hypertension was recorded beside anthropometric measurements. Multiple logistic regression showed that there were gender differences in the association between obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors. In male patients, body mass index had a significant association with hypertension and it was the most predictive factor of hypertension among all anthropometric indices, while waist/hip ratio was the most predictive factor of diabetes. In females, waist/height ratio exhibited the highest degree of association with diabetes and hypertension and was the most predictive factor of both diseases. Anthropometric indices are simple and easy to apply. Since they have a strong predictor value for hypertension and diabetes, they should be used in routine health screening in primary care. Our results represent a small group of patients; we need to conduct larger studies on a national scale to develop local and regional figures which could be different from international standards