Association of body composition indexes with cardio-metabolic risk factors

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and Visceral Adipose Index (VAI) to assess biochemical and blood pressure parameters. The retrospective cross-sectional study included 2333 people (1276 women and 1057 men) in age between 40 and 60 years who took part in local health promotion program. The data including anthropometrical parameters, blood biochemical parameters and blood pressure were used to compute the indexes and analyze their relationship with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Data were analyzed using Receiver Operating Curves and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Significant correlations have been found between all indexes and analyzed risk factors except LDL-C. The highest values of correlation coefficient were observed between WC and risk factors excluding total cholesterol. Values of area under the curve (AUC) indicated weak (AUC<0,7) ability of indexes to predict deviations from the norm of biochemical and blood pressure parameters. Significant ability was presented by WC in predicting HDL-C, triglycerides (TG) and uric acid (SUA); BMI and WHtR in predicting HDL-C, TG, SUA and fasting plasma glucose (FPG); VAI in predicting SUA and FPG. The results suggest that BMI, WC, WHtR and VAI may be useful in clinical assessment of cardio-metabolic risk factors. Yet, there is no evidence supporting replacement of WC as a recommended central obesity index.