Publication
Evaluation of waist-to-height ratio to predict 5 year cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan African adults
Publisher:
Elsevier BV
Date:
08-2014
DOI:
10.1016/J.NUMECD.2014.02.005
Abstract: Simple, low-cost central obesity measures may help identify in iduals with increased cardiometabolic disease risk, although it is unclear which measures perform best in African adults. We aimed to: 1) cross-sectionally compare the accuracy of existing waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist circumference (WC) thresholds to identify in iduals with hypertension, pre-diabetes, or dyslipidaemia 2) identify optimal WC and WHtR thresholds to detect CVD risk in this African population and 3) assess which measure best predicts 5-year CVD risk. Black South Africans (577 men, 942 women, aged >30years) were recruited by random household selection from four North West Province communities. Demographic and anthropometric measures were taken. Recommended diagnostic thresholds (WC > 80 cm for women, >94 cm for men WHtR > 0.5) were evaluated to predict blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipids, and glycated haemoglobin measured at baseline and 5 year follow up. Women were significantly more overweight than men at baseline (mean body mass index (BMI) women 27.3 ± 7.4 kg/m(2), men 20.9 ± 4.3 kg/m(2)) median WC women 81.9 cm (interquartile range 61-103), men 74.7 cm (63-87 cm), all P 0.5 appears to be more consistently supported and may provide a better predictor of future cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan Africa.