Phase angle is associated with muscle health and cardiorespiratory fitness in older breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Phase angle (PhA) obtained from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an indicator of cellular integrity and relates to several chronic conditions. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to evaluate the association of PhA with health-related physical fitness, namely, cardiorespiratory fitness, skeletal muscle volume, and myosteatosis (i.e. muscle health) in older breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Twenty-two women ≥60 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and who completed chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer were included. BIA, cardiopulmonary exercise tests and magnetic resonance imaging scans were completed before and after eight weeks of time-restricted eating. RESULTS: At baseline, PhA was associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.01) and skeletal muscle volume (R2 = 0.83, p < 0.01) and myosteatosis (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.02). Results were similar at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Findings from this pilot study suggest that higher values of PhA are associated with better health-related physical fitness among older breast cancer survivors.

Time-Restricted Eating in Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects on Body Composition and Nutritional Status.

In this secondary analysis of an 8-wk single-arm feasibility study of weekday time-restricted eating (TRE), we explored the effects of TRE on body composition. Women (n = 22; ≥60 yr) who had completed chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer and had a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 were enrolled. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed before and after 8 wk of TRE, and nutritional status was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). Body weight (p = 0.01) and total fat mass (p = 0.04) decreased with TRE. Phase angle was low (defined as ≤5.6°) in 86% of participants at baseline and did not change. Four participants who initially presented with obesity (>95% ellipse, BIVA) had favorable body composition modifications after TRE. Our study highlighted a less favorable body composition profile, poorer cell integrity and overhydration in these patients. BIVA was a useful method to assess body composition and hydration. A short TRE intervention was associated with decreased estimated fat mass and a favorable change in nutritional status in those with obesity.

Phase angle and cellular health: inflammation and oxidative damage.

Phase angle is a composite measure that combines two raw bioelectrical impedance analysis measures: resistance and reactance. Phase angle has been considered an indicator of cellular health, integrity, and hydration. As inflammation and oxidative stress can damage cellular structures, phase angle has potential utility in early detecting inflammatory and oxidative status. Herein, we aimed to critically review the current understanding on the determinants of phase angle and its relationship with markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. We also discussed the potential role of phase angle in detecting chronic inflammation and related adverse outcomes. Several factors have been identified as predictors of phase angle, including age, sex, extracellular to intracellular water ratio, and fat-free mass. In addition to these factors, body mass index (BMI) also seems to influence phase angle. Available data also show that lower phase angle values are correlated (negligible to high correlation coefficients) with higher c-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 in studies involving the general and aging populations, as well as patients with chronic conditions. Although fewer studies have evaluated the relationship between phase angle and markers of oxidative stress, available data also suggest that phase angle has potential to be used as an indicator (for screening) of oxidative damage. Future studies including diverse populations and bioelectrical impedance devices are required to confirm the validity and accuracy of phase angle as a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress for clinical use.

An Evaluation of Metabolic, Dietetic, and Nutritional Status Reveals Impaired Nutritional Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients.

Nutritional status can change in breast cancer patients after treatment. However, the metabolic implications of those alterations are poorly understood. We used a cross-sectional study design to compare body composition, lipids, glucose levels, and adiposity indices in breast cancer patients with a matched control and a healthy group. We recruited women who completed their chemotherapy (BC group) and compared them with a group of women without cancer age and body mass index-paired (MC group) and a group of healthy women (HC group). We estimated body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, physical function by handgrip strength, and food consumption by 24-hour food record. A blood sample was collected. We calculated visceral obesity indices (VAI and LAP) and insulin resistance-triglyceride glucose (TyG). Eighty-eight women were included (BC = 36, MC = 36, HC = 16). BC patients demonstrated worse phase angle values, nutritional risk index and lower handgrip strength. Additionally, according to the indices, BC had impairments in lipids, worse glucose levels, and elevated visceral fat adiposity and presented important unhealthy dietary patterns characterized by under-recommended protein consumption and higher caloric intake than the other groups. No differences were observed between both control groups. Further investigations are required to examine the underlying mechanisms and the potential longitudinal changes during surveillance.

Exploring the potential role of phase angle as a marker of oxidative stress: A narrative review.

Chronic conditions including non-communicable diseases have become increasingly prevalent in the past decade. Proinflammatory cytokines are associated with the development of several pathologies, their prognoses, and their associated mortality. Chronic inflammation is also associated with oxidative stress whereby reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce cellular injury and, thus, by doing so, initiate inflammatory signaling. Phase angle (PhA) is a measurable body composition parameter obtained using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). PhA is considered an indicator of cellular health and integrity and is also related to inflammatory markers and inflammation. Given the association among oxidative stress, cell damage, and inflammation that may in turn be associated with low PhA values, it is expected that PhA could mirror oxidative stress. In this hypothesis-generating, narrative review we summarize the current knowledge regarding the potential relationship between PhA and oxidative stress and their interrelationship in chronic conditions.

Phase angle as a severity indicator for liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of phase angle (PhA) as a severity indicator of chronic liver diseases. METHODS: We examined the medical records of 54 patients-27 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 27 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The patients were ≥18 y of age. Clinical data, such as Child-Pugh and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (HCC), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis (FIB)-4 (NAFLD), nutritional parameters (body mass index [BMI], handgrip strength [HGS], and bioelectrical impedance [BIA] data) were collected. Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) was calculated. Analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney test and analysis of variance. Simple multiple linear regression for predictions (Child-Pugh in HCC, APRI and FIB-4 in NAFLD). Receiver operating characteristic curve was estimated to search a cutoff for PhA. For survival, we used the Kaplan-Meier estimator. To verify whether PhA affected patients' survival, we used the Mantel-Haenszel. RESULTS: The prevalence of cirrhosis was high in HCC (n = 25) and low in the NAFLD (n = 4). No patient was classified as undernourished based on BMI; however, NRI showed that 74.1% of patients with HCC had nutritional risk. Child-Pugh was positively correlated with the edema index (extracellular water/total body water [ECW/TBW]) and negatively correlated with PhA and HGS. Higher Child-Pugh and BCLC scores were associated with worse NRI. APRI and FIB-4 were positively correlated with weight and BMI. A significant difference between groups was found for the median values of R, ECW/TBW, PhA, HGS, and albumin. There was a trend toward lower survival in patients with HCC, according to the cutoff point of 5.1 degrees for PhA. CONCLUSION: PhA was shown to be an independent prognostic indicator for cirrhosis and may be related to survival in these patients.

α-Linolenic acid prevents hepatic steatosis and improves glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVES: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been efficacious in decreasing serum cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the metabolic and molecular changes induced by the omega-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in linseed oil, are not fully understood. In this study, we showed a correlation between ALA and insulin resistance, inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). METHODS: We studied 40 male mice (C57/BL6) divided into 4 groups: a control (C) group, a control + omega-3/ALA (CA) group, a high-fat diet (HFD) (H) group and a high-fat diet + omega-3/ALA (HA) group. For 8 weeks, the animals in the H and HA groups were fed a high-fat (60%) diet, while the animals in the C and CA groups received regular chow. The diets of the CA and HA groups were supplemented with 10% lyophilized ALA. RESULTS: ALA supplementation improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance, as measured by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, respectively. In addition, ALA reduced hepatic steatosis and modified the standard fat concentration in the liver of animals fed an HFD. Dietary ALA supplementation reduced the serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), increased the expression of important chaperones such as binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reduced the expression of C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in hepatic tissues, suggesting an ERS adaptation in response to ALA supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary ALA supplementation is effective in preventing hepatic steatosis; is associated with a reduction in insulin resistance, inflammation and ERS; and represents an alternative for improving liver function and obtaining metabolic benefits.

Application of adiposity indices to a sample of physically active individuals living in the city of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Aplicação de índices de adiposidade em uma amostra de indivíduos físicamente ativos residentes na cidade de ribeirão preto, são paulo, brasil

OBJECTIVE: To compare adiposity indexes in physical activity individuals to evaluate behavior, diagnostic ability and to determine which parameter best reflects and diagnoses body fatness. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 100 physically active individuals (59% female). The participants were submitted to anthropometric and body composition evaluation; we measured weight, height, circumferences, blood pressure and bioelectrical impedance analysis. A physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ, short version) was applied, as well as a questionnaire about the possible use of nutritional supplementation. The data were statistically analyzed, with significance level set at p <0.05. RESULTS: Mean age, height, weight and BMI were 24.2 ± 6.65 years, 169.5 ± 8.94 cm, 69.1 ± 14.83 kg and 23.9 ± 4.19 kg/m2, respectively, with a significant difference between the genders, except for age. Most of the subjects were in the normal weight range, with a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, and were very active. BMIfat correlated better with body fat for males (r = 0.896) and females (r = 0.935), followed by BMI (0.689 and 0.767, respectively) and BAI (0.590 and 0.718). CONCLUSIONS: Adiposity indexes are viable alternatives for the diagnosis of obesity and should be more explored as fast, practical and low cost measures in clinical practice.

OBJETIVO: comparar os índices de adiposidade em indivíduos praticantes de atividade física para avaliar o comportamento, a capacidade diagnóstica e determinar qual parâmetro melhor reflete e diagnostica a adiposidade corporal. MÉTODOS: Um estudo transversal foi realizado em 100 indivíduos fisicamente ativos (59% mulheres). Os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação antropométrica e de composição corporal, sendo aferidos peso, estatura, circunferências, pressão arterial e análise de impedância bioelétrica. Foi aplicado um questionário de atividade física (IPAQ, versão curta), além de um questionário sobre o possível uso da suplementação nutricional. Os dados foram analisados ​​estatisticamente, com nível de significância estabelecido em p <0,05. RESULTADOS: as médias de idade, estatura, peso e IMC foram 24,2 ± 6,65 anos, 169,5 ± 8,94 cm, 69,1 ± 14,83 kg e 23,9 ± 4,19 kg/m2, respectivamente, com diferença significativa entre os gêneros, exceto para idade. A maioria dos sujeitos estava na faixa de peso normal, com um IMC de 18,5 a 24,9 kg/m2, e eram muito ativos. O BMIfat foi melhor correlacionado com a gordura corporal para homens (r = 0,896) e mulheres (r = 0,935), seguido pelo IMC (0,689 e 0,767, respectivamente) e BAI (0,590 e 0,718). CONCLUSÕES: Os índices de adiposidade são alternativas viáveis ​​para o diagnóstico da obesidade e devem ser mais explorados como medidas rápidas, práticas e de baixo custo na prática clínica.

α-Linolenic acid prevents hepatic steatosis and improves glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet

OBJECTIVES: Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been efficacious in decreasing serum cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the metabolic and molecular changes induced by the omega-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is found in linseed oil, are not fully understood. In this study, we showed a correlation between ALA and insulin resistance, inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). METHODS: We studied 40 male mice (C57/BL6) divided into 4 groups: a control (C) group, a control + omega-3/ALA (CA) group, a high-fat diet (HFD) (H) group and a high-fat diet + omega-3/ALA (HA) group. For 8 weeks, the animals in the H and HA groups were fed a high-fat (60%) diet, while the animals in the C and CA groups received regular chow. The diets of the CA and HA groups were supplemented with 10% lyophilized ALA. RESULTS: ALA supplementation improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance, as measured by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, respectively. In addition, ALA reduced hepatic steatosis and modified the standard fat concentration in the liver of animals fed an HFD. Dietary ALA supplementation reduced the serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), increased the expression of important chaperones such as binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reduced the expression of C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in hepatic tissues, suggesting an ERS adaptation in response to ALA supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary ALA supplementation is effective in preventing hepatic steatosis; is associated with a reduction in insulin resistance, inflammation and ERS; and represents an alternative for improving liver function and obtaining metabolic benefits.

Comparison of new adiposity indices for the prediction of body fat in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the accuracy of the body mass index (BMI), BMI adjusted for fat mass (BMIfat), body adiposity index (BAI), BAI for the Fels Longitudinal Study sample, Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator, and fat mass index and to compare the accuracy to that of bioelectrical impedance and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a sample of the Brazilian population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted on 240 hospitalized patients, 43 (18%) male and 197 (83%) female. Mean patient ages were 53.0 ± 13.3 y for males and 53.49 ± 14.0 y for females. All subjects underwent anthropometric evaluation, bioelectrical impedance, and DXA, which permitted the calculation of the indices. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05 in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Mean subject age (y), weight (kg), and height (cm) were 53.0 ± 13.3 and 53.4 ± 14.0; 72.8 ± 14.9 and 67.6 ± 14.0; and 171.0 ± 8.0 and 157.0 ± 7.0 for men and women, respectively. Excess weight was detected in 67.4% and 66% according to the BMI, in 30% and 69.5% according to the BMIfat, and in 51% and 38% according to the BAI for men and women, respectively. Pearson correlation revealed that BMIfat clearly showed a better correlation (r = 0.67) with DXA than the remaining tools. The Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator was the only body adiposity parameter that was significantly higher in men compared to women. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that BMIfat is the index best related to the prediction of body fat and that the BAI did not exceed the limits of the BMI. Further studies of this type are needed to strengthen the present findings.

BMI, BMIfat, BAI or BAIFels - Which is the best adiposity index for the detection of excess weight?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of adiposity indeces body mass index (BMI), body mass index adjusted for fat mass (BMIfat), body adiposity index (BAI) and body adiposity index for the Fels Longitudinal Study sample (BAIFels) and the overweight detection in a sample of the Brazilian population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 501 individuals (female/male = 387/114), which underwent anthropometric measurements and body composition for subsequent calculation of adiposity indices. Statistical analyzes considered p < 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: The averages were: age of 46.94 ± 14.22 years and 48.05 ± 14.40 years, weight 79.5 ± 16, 14 kg and 70.42 ± 16,62 kg, height 172.86 ± 7.6 cm and 159.0 ± 7,35 cm, for men and women, respectively. According to the eutrophic ratings and overweight, the BMIfat ranked 40.3% and 34.0% for men and 21.7% and 65.0% for females, r espectively. While the BAI held 47.7% and 62.3% for men and 65.6% and 34.4% for women, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of BMIfat was clearly superior to all other indexes for both men (93.1%) and women (97.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that BMIfat is the index that has better relationship with the prediction of body fat, BAI did not exceed the limitations of BMI. Future studies should seek to expand this study by adopting the gold standard methods such as DXA and it is necessary to extend the investigation of the validity of adiposity indices to different ethnic groups.

Relationship Between Adiposity Indices, Lipodystrophy, and Sarcopenia in HIV-Positive Individuals With and Without Lipodystrophy.

Metabolism disorders, as well as body shape abnormalities, have been associated with the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic ability of adiposity indices and to discuss criteria for the classification of lipodystrophy and sarcopenia (SP) in HIV-positive individuals. Anthropometric measurements were determined in 268 individuals of both genders, also submitted to the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry exam. The adiposity indices calculated were body mass index, body mass index adjusted for fat mass (BMIfat), body adiposity index, body adiposity Index for the Fels Longitudinal Study sample, and The Clínica Universidad de Navarra body adiposity estimator. The presence of lipodystrophy was evaluated using the fat mass ratio (FMR). SP was classified using the appendicular lean mass/height2 ratio. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: HIV+LIPO+ (n = 41), HIV+LIPO- (n = 65), and control (C, HIV-negative individuals; n = 162). Among the adiposity indices assessed, BMIfat showed the strongest correlation with total body fat (in percent) for men (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) and women (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). The frequency of SP was 44.8% and 41.7% in HIV+LIPO+, 27.8% and 20.7% in HIV+LIPO- and 63.3% and 45.45% in C, for men and women, respectively. The cutoff point suggested for the diagnosis of lipodystrophy according to the FMR was 1.14. The adiposity indices, particularly the BMIfat, have strong correlation with body fat determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in HIV-positive patients. The implementation of FMR is recommended for more standardized estimates of the frequency of lipodystrophy.

Depressão pós-parto e tipo de parto: perfil de mulheres atendidas em um hospital-escola / La depresión posparto y tipo de parto: perfil de las mujeres asistido en un hospital de escuela / Post-birth depression and type of delivery: profile of women attended in a school hospital

Introdução: Importante problema de saúde pública, a depressão pós-parto (DPP) afeta tanto a saúde da mãe quanto o desenvolvimentodo fi lho. Geralmente inicia-se entre duas semanas até três meses após o parto e a prevalência está entre 10 e 29% no Brasil. Emboraexistam estudos tentando demonstrar a correlação do tipo de parto com a DPP, ainda não há consenso sobre o assunto. Objetivos:Descrever a prevalência de depressão pós-parto e verifi car a associação com o tipo de parto. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal,através da aplicação de um questionário a 120 puérperas atendidas no ambulatório do Hospital Emílio Carlos, da cidade de CatanduvaSP,de junho a novembro de 2016. O questionário abordou dados pessoais e questões inerentes à Escala de Depressão Pós-Parto deEdimburgo, utilizada para avaliar a probabilidade de DPP. Resultados: A média de idade das participantes foi 25,3±6,4 anos e o períodomédio de puerpério foi 14,6±6,5 semanas. Cesariana aconteceu em 65,8% dos casos e parto normal em 34,2%. A prevalência de DPPfoi 23,3% e houve maior porcentagem de casos de DPP em mulheres cesareadas (25,3%) em comparação às submetidas ao partovaginal (19,5%), embora sem signifi cância estatística. Conclusões: A prevalência de DPP foi compatível com a média nacional e não foiobservada associação com o tipo de parto. Os resultados auxiliaram no conhecimento epidemiológico da população local e demonstram anecessidade de desenvolver ações de sensibilização e orientação de toda a equipe obstétrica a fi m de minimizar os prejuízos ao binômiomãe/bebê.

Introduction: An important public health problem, postpartum depression (PPD) affects both mother health and child development. Itusually starts between two weeks to three months after delivery, being the prevalence between 10 and 29% in Brazil. Although there arestudies trying to demonstrate the correlation of the type of delivery with the PPD, there is still no consensus about the topic. Objectives:to describe the prevalence of PPD and to verify the association with the type of delivery. Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectionalstudy performed by applying a questionnaire to 120 puerperal patients attended at the Emilio Carlos Hospital outpatient clinic, in the cityof Catanduva-SP, from June through November 2016. The questionnaire addressed personal data and issues related to the EdinburghPostpartum Depression Scale, used to assess the likelihood of PPD. Results: The mean age of the participants was 25.3±6.4 years andthe mean puerperium period was 14.6±6.5 weeks. Cesarean deliveries occurred in 65.8% of cases and normal delivery in 34.2%. Theprevalence of PPD was 23.3% and there was a greater percentage of cases of PPD in cesarean women (25.3%) compared to thosesubmitted to vaginal delivery (19.5%), although without statistical signifi cance. Conclusions: The prevalence of postpartum depressionwas compatible with the national average and no association with the type of delivery was found. The results aided in the epidemiologicalknowledge of the local population and highlight the need to develop actions of sensitization and orientation of the entire obstetric teamto minimize the damages to the mother / baby binomial.

Introducción: Importante problema de salud pública, la depresión posparto (DPP) afecta tanto a la salud de la madre como al desarrollodel hijo. Generalmente se inicia entre dos semanas hasta tres meses después del parto y la prevalencia está entre el 10 y el 29% enBrasil. Aunque existen estudios para demostrar la correlación del tipo de parto con la DPP, aún no hay consenso sobre el tema. Objetivos:Describir la prevalencia de depresión postparto y verifi car la asociación con el tipo de parto. Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal,a través de la aplicación de un cuestionario a 120 puérperas atendidas en el ambulatorio del Hospital Emilio Carlos, de la ciudad deCatanduva-SP, de junio a noviembre de 2016. El cuestionario abordó datos personales y cuestiones inherentes a la Escala de DepresiónPost-Parto de Edimburgo, utilizada para evaluar la probabilidad de DPP. Resultados: El promedio de edad de las participantes fue de25,3 ± 6,4 años y el período promedio de puerperio fue 14,6 ± 6,5 semanas. La cesárea ocurrió en el 65,8% de los casos y el partonormal en el 34,2%. La prevalencia de DPP fue 23,3% y hubo un mayor porcentaje de casos de DPP en mujeres cesareadas (25,3%)en comparación a las sometidas al parto vaginal (19,5%), aunque sin signifi cancia estadística. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de DPPfue compatible con la media nacional y no se observó asociación con el tipo de parto. Los resultados ayudaron en el conocimientoepidemiológico de la población local y demuestran la necesidad de desarrollar acciones de sensibilización y orientación de todo el equipoobstétrico a fi n de minimizar los daños al binomio madre/bebé.

Comparing the Ability of Anthropometric Indicators in Identifying Metabolic Syndrome in HIV Patients.

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can cause side effects in HIV patients, as the metabolic syndrome. Early identification of risk for development of cardiovascular diseases using available reliable and practical methods is fundamental. On this basis, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of anthropometric indicators to identify metabolic syndrome in HIV patients on HAART. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study. A number of 280 stable HIV patients were studied. It measured weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HP), thigh circumference (TC) and calculated body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to thigh ratio (WTR). There was also a performance of biochemical tests of lipid profile and fasting glucose. Systemic blood pressure was measured. The criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program III (NCEP-ATP III) to metabolic syndrome classification was used. Individuals were divided in groups with or without metabolic alterations and their anthropometric indicators were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were designed for each anthropometric indicator using the metabolic syndrome classification to identify sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: WC was a good tool to identify each metabolic disorder separately: total cholesterol (only females, p<0.05), triglycerides (only males, p<0.001), HDL cholesterol (p<0.05), LDL cholesterol (p<005) and fasting glycemic (p<005). WC also showed the best performance to identify metabolic syndrome in both genders (areas under the curve (AUCs): 0.79 and 0.76 for male and female, respectively), while BAI proved to be an inadequate indicator (AUCs: 0.63 and 0.67 for males and females), respectively, in this population. CONCLUSIONS: The central adiposity measure (WC) had the best performance to identify metabolic syndrome, and it is a convenient, cheap and reliable tool that can be used in clinical practice routinely to prevent cardiovascular complications in HIV patients.