The Usefulness of Waist/Height Ratio as an Obesity Index
Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
;
: 307-313, 2004.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-14995
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Waist circumference and BMI have been known as an independent predictor for cardiovascular diseases. But some people with a normal BMI or normal waist circumference may have cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the simplicity and the usefulness of waist/height ratio as an index of obesity and to investigate the waist/height ratio as a predictor for metabolic risks in individuals with normal weight and/or normal waist circumference.METHODS:
The subjects were 1,157 individuals (635 men, 522 women). The morbidity index for metabolic risk factors was calculated by the sum of the risk factors scores (one point per item, if present). We set the criteria of obesity as BMI>or=25 kg/m2, waist circumference of >or=90 cm in males and >or=80 cm in females, waist/hip ratio of >or=0.9 in males and >or=0.8 in females, and waist/height ratio of >or=50 cm/cm*100.RESULTS:
There was a significant correlation among waist/ height ratio, waist/hip ratio, BMI, and waist circumference (P=0.000). The odds ratios for morbidity index (>or=3) in normal BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio subjects with waist/height over 50 were significantly higher with 4.60, 3.83, and 2.79, respectively, and also higher in normal BMI with normal waist circumference subjects with 3.90 (P=0.000).CONCLUSION:
Waist/height ratio may be used a simple and practical index of obesity. Especially, it may be useful in subjects with normal BMI or normal waist circumference when predicting their metabolic risks.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Cardiovascular Diseases
/
Odds Ratio
/
Risk Factors
/
Waist Circumference
/
Obesity, Abdominal
/
Obesity
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
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