RESUMO
Abdominal fat, measured as waist circumference, is a risk factor for the development of metabolic andcardiovascular disorders. AIM: To determine the association between anthropometric indicators and insulin resistance and secretion indexes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross sectional study of 51 girls aged 7 to 17 years, with a body mass index (BMI) > 85th percentile. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed and fasting serum lipids were measured. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Gutt´s Index (ISI0, 120), insulinogenic index (InIns) and the insulinogenic index corrected by HOMA-IR (InIns/HOMA-IR), were calculated. RESULTS: A positive and significant correlation was found between waist circumference and Log HOMA-IR (R = 0,434, p < 0, 01) and a negative correlation with Log (InIns/HOMA-IR) (R = -0,463, p < 0,01). There was a weak correlation between BMI z score and Log (InIns/HOMA-IR) with a r= -0,285, p < 0,05. No association of BMI z score with other variables. After correcting for BMI z score, the association between waist circumference and Log HOMA-IR and Log (InIns/HOMA-IR) was maintained (R = 0,39, p = 0,015 and R = -0,43, p =0,006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among girls with with a BMI > 85 th percentile, waist circumference is the anthropometric variable that best correlates with insulin resistance and secretion indexes. We suggest incorporating the waist circumference measurement as a routine anthropometric variable during pediatric assessments.