Anthropometric markers and their cut-off point for the prediction of hypertension with lifestyle as a risk factor among Chiru tribe of North East India.

BACKGROUND: The increased prevalence of obesity, particularly central obesity, is closely associated with many metabolic complexions, including hypertension and diabetes. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates the cut-off points of some anthropometric measurements such as body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)], waist circumference [WC (cm)], waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) associated with high blood pressure. It determines the risk factors among the Chiru tribe of North East India. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in four villages in the hilly districts of Manipur. For the present study, 416 Chiru adults (209 males and 207 females) aged 20-79 years were included. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured using standard procedures. Statistical methods such as chi-square, Pearson correlation, and multivariate logistic regression were employed. RESULTS: The result indicates that the cut-off values to detect hypertension were 21.83 for BMI, 82.55 for WC, 0.92 for WHR, and 0.53 for WHtR. However, the cut-off values to detect hypertension in females were 23.92 for BMI, 86.48 for WC, 0.94 for WHR, and 0.55 for WHtR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was an independently associated risk factor in both males and females with an age ≥ 50 years (OR = 18.52 and 10.12), physical activity (OR = 0.10 and 0.21), salt intake (OR = 7.81 and 3.36), and smoking (OR = 2.56 and 3.23), respectively. CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR values can determine hypertension risk in the Chiru population. Age, smoking, physical activity, and salt intake were independent risk factors associated with high blood pressure.

The association between triglyceride-glucose index and its combination with obesity indicators and cardiovascular disease: NHANES 2003-2018.

BACKGROUND: In the American population, the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and TYG combined with indicators of obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its mortality has been less well studied. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 11,937 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2018. Cox proportional hazards model, binary logistic regression analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to analyze the relationship between TyG and its combined obesity-related indicators and CVD and its mortality. Mediation analysis explored the mediating role of glycated hemoglobin and insulin in the above relationships. RESULTS: In this study, except for no significant association between TyG and CVD mortality, TyG, TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR, and TyG-BMI were significantly and positively associated with CVD and CVD mortality. TyG-WHtR is the strongest predictor of CVD mortality (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.21-2.29). The TyG index correlated better with the risk of coronary heart disease (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.66-3.83). TyG-WC correlated best with total CVD (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.77-3.17), congestive heart failure (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.31-3.51), and angina pectoris (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.43-3.97). TyG-WHtR correlated best with myocardial infarction (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.45-3.44). RCS analyses showed that most of the above relationships were linear (P-overall < 0.0001, P-nonlinear > 0.05). Otherwise, ROC curves showed that TyG-WHtR and TyG-WC had more robust diagnostic efficacy than TyG. In mediation analyses, glycated hemoglobin mediated in all the above relationships and insulin-mediated in partial relationships. CONCLUSIONS: TyG-WC and TyG-WtHR enhance CVD mortality prediction, diagnostic efficacy of CVD and its mortality, and correlation with some CVD over and above the current hottest TyG. TyG-WC and TyG-WtHR are expected to become more effective metrics for identifying populations at early risk of cardiovascular disease and improve risk stratification.

Prevalence and Predictors of Prediabetes in Adolescents and Young Adults with Turner Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study from Eastern India.

Background: Individuals with Turner syndrome (TS) have a high risk for prediabetes/type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). There is scarce data regarding risk factors for prediabetes in TS, specially from South Asia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on girls with TS aged 12-30 years who had achieved pubertal stage B3 and above-spontaneously or with oestrogen. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests were conducted, and medical records were reviewed for details about pubertal onset and progression, growth hormone (GH) and oestrogen therapy. Results: Out of 129 patients with TS in our database, 99 met the criteria for inclusion, mean age 18.33+/-3.78 years and mean BMI 20.57+/- 3.71 kg/m2. Prevalence of prediabetes was 23.23%. Plasma-glucose measured after 75 g-oral-anhydrous-glucose-load (OGTT-PPG) identified five additional prediabetes cases, who had normal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or HbA1c%. Compared to those without prediabetes, TS with prediabetes (n = 23) had higher mean body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC) [42.02+/- 5.83 vs 36.22+/-8.07, 22.77+/-2.78 vs 19.91+/- 3.72, 85.26+/- 3.52 vs 81.08+/- 4.59, pall < 0.03 ], higher median WC-to-height ratio (WHtR) and WC-to-hip ratio (WHR)((0.64 [0.6-0.69] vs 0.59[0.56- 0.66], 0.9[0.84-1.12] vs 0.85[0.75-1.01], pboth < 0.02), and higher LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and greater prevalence of hepatosteatosis (47.1% vs 21.1%, P < 0.01). Among GH recipients (n = 36), those with prediabetes had delayed initiation and shorter duration of GH therapy. There were no differences in cardiometabolic parameters or the prevalence of diabetes between different karyotypic variants of TS. BMI, WC and WHR had significant positive correlation with FBG, OGTT-PPG and HbA1c% (pall < 0.004). Delay in oestrogen initiation had a significant correlation with OGTT-PPG (Spearman's-rho = 0.69, P < 0.004). BMI, WHR and pubertal status were independent predictors for prediabetes (OR: 1.27 [1.03-1.57]), 1.18 [1.04-1.34]) and 0.09[0.02-0.38], respectively, pall < 0.02), but karyotype was not. BMI had the highest sensitivity [cut-off: 21.04 kg/m2 (sensitivity: 82.6%, specificity: 62.2%) and WHR had the highest specificity [cut-off: 0.89 (sensitivity: 73.9%, specificity 78.4%)] for predicting prediabetes. Conclusion: Indian girls with TS have a high risk for prediabetes, irrespective of underlying karyotype and should be screened with oral glucose challenge to identify prediabetes. Timely intervention against central obesity and early initiation of GH and oestrogen should be ensured in TS. Late presenting girls should be closely monitored for dysglycaemia before and during treatment with GH and/or oestrogen.

Combining body mass index and waist height ratio to assess the relationship between obesity and serum uric acid levels in adolescents.

Background: The study aims to explore the relationship between obesity and serum uric acid in adolescents by combining body mass index and waist height ratio. Methods: 475 adolescents in our study were classified as normal weight without central obesity (NW), normal weight but central obesity (NWCO), overweight or obesity without central obesity (OB) and overweight or obesity with central obesity (OBCO). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for hyperuricemia were calculated using a logistic regression model. The dose-response association between obesity indicators and serum uric acid were explored by restricted cubic spline model. Results: The highest serum uric acid level and the OR for hyperuricemia were found in the OBCO group, regardless of sex. After controlling for waist height ratio, the risk of hyperuricemia increased with increasing body mass index in boys and girls. The restricted cubic spline model showed that boys had higher ORs for hyperuricemia at the 25th and 75th percentiles of body mass index than for waist height ratio and girls had a higher OR for hyperuricemia than waist height ratio at the 25th percentile of body mass index. Conclusions: Hyperuricemia in adolescence was not only associated with the overweight or obesity in BMI, but with the combination of overweight or obesity in BMI and central obesity in WHtR. However, in boys and girls, the increased risk of hyperuricemia associated with elevated body mass index was significantly better than that of waist height ratio.

Comparative Evaluation of Waist-to-Height Ratio and BMI in Predicting Adverse Cardiovascular Outcome in People With Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

Central obesity is strongly associated with cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes. BMI does not reflect a regional fat distribution. The other anthropometric indices, which are markers of central obesity, like waist circumference and waist-hip ratio, are subject to age, sex, and ethnic variations. An index like waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), which considers central obesity, outperforms BMI in predicting cardiometabolic risk. With a single cut-off of 0.5, irrespective of age, sex, and ethnic variations, WHtR has a wide application in screening obesity in population settings. Previous systematic analyses were conducted in the general population, assessing cardiometabolic risk. The current study is the first systematic analysis to compare the applicability of WHtR and BMI in predicting both cardiovascular risk and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in people with diabetes. It includes prospective cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and randomized control trials to generate evidence. The summary scores indicate that WHtR is probably a better indicator than BMI to assess cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes. A future meta-analysis will pave the way for more robust evidence.

Circulating follicle stimulating hormone levels influence body growth in pre-menarcheal girls in a latitude-dependent manner.

Introduction: Age at menarche is an essential determinant of reproductive life of a woman. Latitude is an important driver of age at menarche, however the contributions of circulating follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and socio-economic status (SES) to age at menarche in a latitude-dependent manner is not known. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study is a component of our major cohort of 10,050 schoolgirls aged 8-16 years from 35 schools across 10 districts. The selected districts were categorised into high and low latitudes by applying a cut-off point at latitude 31.5°N. We evaluated the physical parameters, SES, circulating FSH, and growth hormone (GH) levels in pre-menarche girls (N = 252) at different latitudes. Results: Self-reported age at menarche of girls residing at different latitudes in Pakistan showed that higher latitude is associated with delayed age at menarche. Higher latitude was associated with reduced circulating FSH levels, as well as lower parameters of physical growth including body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio and, waist-height ratio (all p < 0.05) in the pre-menarcheal girls. However, circulating GH levels were not affected by latitude. On the other hand, lower SES was associated with reduced GH levels and lower BMI, which are considered as probably the primary determinants of physical growth. Conclusions: Taken together, we show that higher latitude may delay the sexual maturation, while poor SES may delay the physical growth in girls.

Development and validation of a model to predict the risk of hypertension using anthropometric indicators in the Chinese population: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension and obesity in China has sharply increased in recent decades. We aimed to develop and validate a novel model for predicting the risk of hypertension based on anthropometric indicators relating to obesity in the general population of China. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 6196 participants from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) during the 2009-2015 waves were included. Risk factors for hypertension were assessed by LASSO regression combined with multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was developed as a predictive model based on the screening prediction factors. The discrimination and calibration of the model were evaluated by receiver operating curve (ROC) and calibration plots, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical application value of the model. RESULTS: A total of 6196 participants were divided into two sets at a ratio of 7:3, using computer-generated random numbers: 4337 individuals were assigned to the training set and 1859 to the validation set. The training set was divided into a hypertension group (n = 1016) and a non-hypertension group (n = 3321) based on the follow-up outcomes for hypertension. Predictive factors of hypertension included age, drinking, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and arm-to-height ratio (AHtR) at baseline as predictors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the training and validation sets was 0.906 (95% CI: 0.897-0.915) and 0.905 (95% CI: 0.887-0.922), respectively. In bootstrap validation, the C-index was 0.905 (95% CI: 0.888-0.921). The model also had good predictive accuracy according to the calibration plot. DCA demonstrated that people would benefit more when the threshold probability was between 5% and 80%. CONCLUSION: A nomogram model was successfully established to effectively predict the risk of hypertension based on anthropometric indicators. The model could be a feasible tool for hypertension screening in the general population of China.

Anthropometric Indices for Predicting Hypertension among General Outpatient Clinic Attendees of Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The literature is replete with overwhelming evidence that being obese is a predictor of hypertension risk. Obesity can be defined by anthropometric indices, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waistheight ratio (WHtR). Despite wide use of BMI as indicator of obesity, it does not reflect central fat distribution, whereas WC, WHR, and WHtR are used as surrogate markers for body fat centralization. A central distribution of body fat has been shown to be strongly associated with hypertension. Controversies, however, remain regarding the best predictor of hypertension risk. We determined the prevalence of hypertension and assess its association with the four obesity-related indices above. We evaluated which anthropometric measurement most closely relates to high blood pressure risk among adult patients 18 years and above in Bida. METHODS: This is an analytical cross-sectional hospital-based study of 210 systematic randomly selected adults. Participants were administered a standardized questionnaire and had anthropometric measurements taken along with their blood pressure. RESULTS: The percentage of people with high blood pressure was 38.6% (33.7% for males and 42.4% for females). WC (p-value <0.001), WHR (p-0.001), WHtR (p-value <0.001) and BMI (p-0.016) were all statistically significantly associated with hypertension. At the multivariate analysis level; waist circumference (OR= 3.635, p= 0.002, CI = 1.613-8.189) and waist-height ratio (OR= 7.183, p-value <0.001, CI = 2.661-19.389) remained strong predictors of hypertension risk. Analysis of the receiver operated characteristics curve showed that waist circumference (0.842) and waist-height ratio (0.838) were the best predictors of hypertension risk. CONCLUSION: The central obesity indices WC, and WHtR were better than BMI for the prediction of hypertension in adults >18 years. Therefore, WHtR or WC is recommended as a screening tool for the prediction of hypertension in our clinics, as a means of prevention and early detection of hypertension to halt or slow down the rising burden of hypertension.

CONTEXTE: La littérature regorge de preuves irréfutables que l'obésité est un facteur de prédiction du risque d'hypertension. L'obésité peut être définie par des indices anthropométriques, comme l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), le tour de taille (TT), le rapport taille-hanche (RTH) et le rapport taille-hauteur (RTH). Bien que l'IMC soit largement utilisé comme indicateur de l'obésité, il ne reflète pas la distribution centrale de la graisse, alors que le tour de taille, le WHR et le WHtR sont utilisés comme marqueurs de substitution pour la centralisation de la graisse corporelle. Il a été démontré qu'une distribution centrale de la graisse corporelle est fortement associée à l'hypertension. Cependant, des controverses subsistent quant au meilleur prédicteur du risque d'hypertension. Nous avons déterminé la prévalence de l'hypertension et évalué son association avec les quatre indices liés à l'obésité ci-dessus. Nous avons évalué quelle mesure anthropométrique est la plus étroitement liée au risque d'hypertension chez les patients adultes âgés de 18 ans et plus à Bida. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude analytique transversale menée en milieu hospitalier auprès de 210 adultes sélectionnés de manière systématique et aléatoire. Les participants ont reçu un questionnaire standardisé et des mesures anthropométriques ont été prises en même temps que leur tension artérielle. RÉSULTATS: Le pourcentage de personnes ayant une pression artérielle élevée était de 38,6 % (33,7 % pour les hommes et 42,4 % pour les femmes). Le tour de taille (valeur p <0,001), le WHR (p-0,001), le WHtR (valeur p <0,001) et l'IMC (p-0,016) étaient tous associés de manière statistiquement significative à l'hypertension. Au niveau de l'analyse multivariée, le tour de taille (OR= 3,635, p=0,002, CI = 1,613-8,189) et le rapport taille-hauteur (OR= 7,183, pvalue <0,001, CI = 2,661-19,389) sont restés des prédicteurs forts du risque d'hypertension. L'analyse de la courbe des caractéristiques opérées par le récepteur a montré que le tour de taille (0,842) et le rapport taillehauteur (0,838) étaient les meilleurs prédicteurs du risque d'hypertension. CONCLUSION: Les indices d'obésité centrale WC, et WHtR étaient meilleurs que l'IMC pour la prédiction de l'hypertension chez les adultes de plus de 18 ans. Par conséquent, le WHtR ou le tour de taille est recommandé comme outil de dépistage pour la prédiction de l'hypertension dans nos cliniques, comme moyen de prévention et de détection précoce de l'hypertension pour arrêter ou ralentir l'augmentation du fardeau de l'hypertension. Mots clés: IMC, Hypertension artérielle, Tour de taille, Rapport taillehauteur.

Appropriate neck circumference and waist-to-height ratio cut-off points as predictors of obesity and cardiovascular risk in adolescents / Pontos de corte da circunferência do pescoço e da relação cintura-estatura como preditores da obesidade e risco cardiovascular em adolescentes

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To determine neck circumference (NC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cut-off points as predictors of obesity and cardiovascular risk in adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional study developed with a subsample of 634 adolescents aged 18 and 19 years belonging to the third phase of the "RPS" cohort (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís) carried out in 2016. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was identified to assess the predictive capacity of NC and WHtR in relation to the percentage of body fat (%BF), obtained by air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and the cardiovascular risk estimated by the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY). RESULTS The prevalence of obesity by %BF was 7.6% in males and 39.4% in females (p-value <0.001), and the high PDAY risk was 13.8% and 10.9%, respectively. For males, NC cut-off point was 44.0 cm and the AUCs were 0.70 (95%CI 0.58-0.83) to predict obesity and 0.71 (95%CI 0.62-0.80) to predict high cardiovascular risk; for females, NC cut-off point was 40 cm and the AUCs were 0.75 (95%CI 0.69-0.80) and 0.63 (95%CI 0.53-0.73), respectively. WHtR cut-off point was 0.50 for both sexes; for males, the AUCs to predict obesity and high risk according to PDAY were 0.90 (95%CI 0.80-0.99) and 0.73 (95%CI 0.63-0.82), respectively; for females, they were 0.87 (95%CI 0.83-0.90) and 0.55 (95%CI 0.45-0.65), respectively. CONCLUSION WHtR and NC are good discriminators to assess obesity and cardiovascular risk in adolescents, especially in males.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Determinar os pontos de corte da circunferência do pescoço (CP) e da relação cintura-estatura (RCEst) para a predição da obesidade e do risco cardiovascular em adolescentes. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal desenvolvido com uma subamostra de 634 adolescentes de 18 e 19 anos de idade pertencentes à terceira fase da coorte "RPS" (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas e São Luís) realizada em 2016. Identificou-se a área sob a curva ROC (AUC) para avaliar a capacidade preditiva da CP e RCE em relação ao percentual de gordura corporal (%GC), obtido pela pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (PDA), e do risco cardiovascular estimado pelo Phatobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY). RESULTADOS A prevalência de obesidade pelo %GC foi de 7,6% no sexo masculino e 39,4% no sexo feminino (p-valor < 0,001) e o alto risco para PDAY foi de 13,8% e 10,9%, respectivamente. Para a CP, o ponto de corte identificado para o sexo masculino foi de 44,0 cm e as AUC foram de 0,70 (IC95% 0,58-0,83) para predição de obesidade e de 0,71 (IC95% 0,62-0,80) para predição do alto risco cardiovascular; e para o sexo feminino foi de 40 cm e as AUC foram de 0,75 (IC95% 0,69-0,80) e de 0,63 (IC95% 0,53-0,73), respectivamente. Para a RCEst, o ponto de corte identificado foi de 0,50 para ambos os sexos e as AUC para a predição da obesidade e do alto risco segundo o PDAY foram de 0,90 (IC95% 0,80-0,99) e 0,73 (IC95% 0,63-0,82), respectivamente, para o sexo masculino; e de 0,87 (IC95% 0,83-0,90) e 0,55 (IC95% 0,45-0,65), respectivamente, para o sexo feminino. CONCLUSÃO RCEst e CP como bons discriminadores para avaliar a obesidade e risco cardiovascular em adolescentes, especialmente no sexo masculino.

Relationship between cardiometabolic index and hyperuricemia in health examination population / 中华健康管理学杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between cardiometabolic index (CMI) and hyperuricemia (HUA) in the health examination population.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 21 720 individuals who received health examinations in Xiangya hospital, Central South University between 2020 and 2021 were recruited in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between CMI and HUA, and stratified analysis was applied to check whether there were population differences. Then the predictive value of CMI for hyperuricemia in the health examination population was evaluated with the area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Among the 21 720 subjects, 4 418 (20.34%) were detected with HUA. In the HUA group, the body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, CMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and blood creatinine levels were all significantly higher than those in the normal uric acid group, while high-density lipoprotein and epidermal growth factor receptor (eGFR) were significantly lower (all P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for relevant factors, CMI was significantly positively correlated with HUA ( OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.129-1.192); and with the increase of CMI, the risk of HUA increased gradually. Stratified analysis and interaction test according to gender, age, BMI, hypertension, abnormal blood glucose and glomerular filtration rate indicated that CMI was positively associated with the occurrence of HUA in all populations. Compared with that in people with abnormal blood glucose, the correlation between CMI and HUA was more obvious in people with normal blood glucose. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CMI to predict HUA was 0.723(95% CI: 0.715-0.731), with a specificity of 0.636 and a sensitivity of 0.698, and the cut-point was 0.693. Conclusion:There was a significant positive correlation between CMI and HUA in the health examination population, which has good predictive value for HUA.

Anthropometric Indices and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor in Predicting Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - A Prospective Study in Indian Population.

Background: The different anthropometric indices have different predictive values of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in various populations. Since obesity is a common cause of NAFLD and diabetes, therefore, it is critical to correlate the various anthropometric indices as a risk factor in terms of NAFLD and diabetes in the Indian population. In view of reported association between obesity and NAFLD, the study was employed to analyze the relationship of various anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], a body shape index [ABSI], waist-height ratio [WHtR], etc.) with NAFLD and to comment, if possible, which among them has the highest predictive value in patients with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: Data of 220 diabetic patients (36-80 years) were analyzed. Anthropometric data were collected using standard methods. Routine biochemical investigations data were used. Ultrasonography was used to assess liver status for NAFLD. Results: Based on the results, Waist height ratio [WHtR] and BMI had better correlation with NAFLD than ABSI. The desirable WHtR cutoff value was 0.545 with 62% of sensitivity and 62% of specificity. The cut off for BMI and ABSI were 24.6 and 0.805, respectively, with 65% of sensitivity and 62% of specificity for BMI and 63% of sensitivity and 42% of specificity for ABSI. Conclusion: There is a strong association of BMI and ABSI with NAFLD in this study. Public health measures to limit overnutrition and management of obesity are essential to prevent NAFLD, and as its negative health effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comparison of waist-height ratio and other obesity indices in the prediction of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Waist-height ratio (WHtR) is increasingly being studied as a simple and effective measure of central obesity. Reports have shown that WHtR is a better predictor of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases when compared to traditional obesity indices like body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip ratio (WHR). This study is therefore aimed at comparing WHtR with other obesity indices in the prediction of peripheral neuropathy in persons with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methodology: One thousand and forty persons with DM were enrolled following consent. Relevant details of history were obtained, followed by physical examinations. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was used to compare the odds ratio of obesity indices in the prediction of peripheral neuropathy. The level of significance used was p = 0.05. Results: Logistic regression showed that WHtR had the highest odds ratio (OR) for the prediction of "probable" diabetic peripheral neuropathy (OR 9.11, 95% CI 3.07-47.97, p = 0.002), followed by WC (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.09-4.05, p = 0.004), and BMI (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.00-3.99, p = 0.019) after correction for age; systemic hypertension; duration of DM; control of SBP, DBP, HbA1c, FPG, and 2HrPP. Conclusion: WHtR has the highest odds ratio in the prediction of "probable" diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both genders, followed by WC in the males and BMI in the females.

Relación inversa entre la altitud y el riesgo cardiometabólico en la población peruana: resultados de una encuesta de base poblacional e importancia de la relación cintura-talla como indicador de riesgo cardiometabólico

Presentación: En el presente artículo exponemos nuestra valoración crítica de un estudio observacional publicado en la revista International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health el año 2022. Conclusiones del estudio: Se identificó una asociación inversa entre vivir a mayor altura y el nivel de riesgo cardiometabólico en la población adulta peruana. Sin embargo, la prevalencia de riesgo cardiometabólico en las diferentes categorías altitudinales evaluadas se mantiene por encima del 82% (80.9 - 84.6), lo que representa una gran proporción de la población en riesgo en cada altitud. Comentario crítico: El estudio es relevante por el uso de la relación cintura-talla, considerado como un indicador antropométrico con gran precisión para estimar el riesgo cardiometabólico, ser un estudio de bajo riesgo de sesgo y tener representatividad nacional. Por otro lado, es importante porque la relación cintura-talla es económica y fácil de usar, además de ser superior al IMC, ideal para aplicarlo en Perú. Además la conclusión general del estudio es válida, sin embargo, la falta de evaluación de la temporalidad por la misma característica del estudio (tipo transversal) y el sesgo residual que tiene al no evaluar algunas variables, hace necesario que se realicen estudios longitudinales para poder apoyar los resultados del estudio.La presente revisión crítica encuentra validez interna de los resultados del estudio, pero al momento no serían aplicables para generalizarse en toda la población por el sesgo residual.

Presentation: This article presents our critical appraisal of an observational study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2022. Conclusions of the Study: An inverse association was identified between living at higher altitudes and the level of cardiometabolic risk in the Peruvian adult population. However, the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk in the different altitude categories evaluated remains above 82% (80.9 - 84.6), which represents a large proportion of the population at risk at every altitude. Critical comment: The study is relevant because of the use of the waist-height ratio, considered an anthropometric indicator with greater precision for estimating cardiometabolic risk, being a study with a low risk of bias, and having national representativity. In addition, it is important because the waist-height ratio is inexpensive and easy to use. It is also superior to BMI and ideal for application in Peru. In addition, the general conclusion of the study is valid; however, the lack of evaluation of temporality due to the same characteristic of the study (cross-sectional study) and the residual bias that it has by not evaluating some variables, makes it necessary to carry out a longitudinal study to be able to support the results of the study. The present critical review finds internal validity in the results of the study, but at the moment they would not be applicable to generalize to the entire population due to the residual bias.

Reference Values for Waist Circumference and Waist-Height Ratio in Korean Children and Adolescents.

Background: Abdominal obesity, which is a strong indicator of cardiometabolic risk, is widely evaluated using waist circumference (WC) and waist-height ratio (WHtR). In Korea, the reference values for WC for children and adolescents were published in 2007 and need to be revised. Moreover, there is no reference for WHtR. The aim of this study was to establish new reference values for WC and WHtR in Korean children and adolescents. Methods: Data of 20,033 subjects from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2019) were used. Tables for reference values and the graphs of smoothed percentile curves of WC and WHtR for children and adolescents aged 2-18 years by sex were generated using the LMS method and locally estimated scatterplot smoothing regression analysis after removing extreme values. Results: Sex-specific reference tables and percentile curves for WC and WHtR were developed. In the new WC curves, the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile lines were lower than the corresponding lines of the 2007 reference for both sexes. The WHtR curves showed sex-specific differences, although they demonstrated a relative plateau among those aged ≥10 years in both sexes. In the logistic regression analysis, the WC and WHtR z-scores showed higher odds ratios for predicting cardiometabolic risk factors than the body mass index z-score. Conclusion: New WC and WHtR reference values for Korean children and adolescents aged 2-18 years were developed using the latest statistical methods. These references will help monitor and track WC and WHtR for evaluating abdominal obesity among at-risk children and adolescents in Korea.

Serum Folate Related to Five Measurements of Obesity and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Korean Adults.

This study investigated the effects of folic acid on obesity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII 2016-2018), 6394 adults (aged 19-80 years) who met the study criteria were identified and divided into young, middle-aged, and older adult groups. The analysis assessed associations using logistic regression for complex samples. Obesity was measured using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), a body shape index (ABSI), and body roundness index (BRI). The odds ratio (OR) of obesity based on BMI were statistically significant for young adults and older participants with low levels of folic acid compared to those with high levels (OR: 1.33 and 1.58, respectively). The OR of obesity based on BMI, WC, WHtR, ABSI, and BRI was significant with low levels of folic acid in middle-aged individuals (OR: 1.36, 1.32, 1.41, 1.29, and 1.47, respectively). Low folate levels were related to higher high-sensitivity CRP levels in middle-aged patients. In conclusion, folate level showed a significant inverse association with obesity and inflammatory biomarkers, especially in the middle-aged group. Further longitudinal or randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and expand our results.

Pictogram Is a Valid Instrument to Classify At-Risk Adult Population Based on Abdominal Obesity: Results from Pars Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction and death events. Thus, obtaining data on the status of abdominal obesity is important in risk factor assessment and prevention of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of using pictograms to classify abdominal obesity indices (waist circumference [WC], waist-hip ratio [WHR], and waist-height ratio [WHtR]) into normal and at-risk categories and determine the effects of demographic characteristics on this validity. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from Pars Cohort Study (PCS). Participants chose the most similar pictogram scores to their body size at 15, 30 years, and current age. Optimal normal/at-risk cut-off values for pictograms were calculated using sensitivity/specificity plots. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the validity of pictograms. Validity measures were analyzed across different subgroups of demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 9263 participants (46% males) were included in the study. The estimated area under the curves were 84% for WC, 77% for WHR, and 89% for WHtR in males, and 84% for WC, 73% for WHR, and 90% for WHtR in females. Optimal pictogram cutoffs to classify central obesity for WC, WHR, and WHtR were 4, 4, and 5 in males and 4, 4, and 6 in females, respectively. The majority of demographic characteristics were not associated with the validity of pictograms. CONCLUSION: Using pictograms to determine normal and at-risk categories of abdominal obesity indices is valid among adult population with a wide range of demographic characteristics. However, the results need to be interpreted with caution in those with a positive history of weight fluctuation.

The association between the presence of fast-food outlets and BMI: the role of neighbourhood socio-economic status, healthy food outlets, and dietary factors.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the association between the presence of fast-food outlets and Body Mass Index (BMI) is inconsistent. Furthermore, mechanisms underlying the fast-food outlet presence-BMI association are understudied. We investigated the association between the number of fast-food outlets being present and objectively measured BMI. Moreover, we investigated to what extent this association was moderated by neighbourhood socio-economic status (NSES) and healthy food outlets. Additionally, we investigated mediation by frequency of fast-food consumption and amount of fat intake. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we used baseline data of adults in Lifelines (N = 149,617). Geo-coded residential addresses were linked to fast-food and healthy food outlet locations. We computed the number of fast-food and healthy food outlets within 1 kilometre (km) of participants' residential addresses (each categorised into null, one, or at least two). Participants underwent objective BMI measurements. We linked data to Statistics Netherlands to compute NSES. Frequency of fast-food consumption and amount of fat intake were measured through questionnaires in Lifelines. Multivariable multilevel linear regression analyses were performed to investigate associations between fast-food outlet presence and BMI, adjusting for individual and environmental potential confounders. When exposure-moderator interactions had p-value < 0.10 or improved model fit (∆AIC ≥ 2), we conducted stratified analyses. We used causal mediation methods to assess mediation. RESULTS: Participants with one fast-food outlet within 1 km had a higher BMI than participants with no fast-food outlet within 1 km (B = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.21). Effect sizes for at least two fast-food outlets were larger in low NSES areas (B = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.57), and especially in low NSES areas where at least two healthy food outlets within 1 km were available (B = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.31). Amount of fat intake, but not frequency of fast-food consumption, explained this association for 3.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Participants living in low SES neighbourhoods with at least two fast-food outlets within 1 km of their residential address had a higher BMI than their peers with no fast-food outlets within 1 km. Among these participants, healthy food outlets did not buffer the potentially unhealthy impact of fast-food outlets. Amount of fat intake partly explained this association. This study highlights neighbourhood socio-economic inequalities regarding fast-food outlets and BMI.

Poor Trunk Flexibility is Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract Background: Poor flexibility is a predictor of reduced physical activity. The association between trunk flexibility and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) is not well understood. Objective: To identify the prevalence of CVRFs and their association with trunk flexibility in individuals participating in a community-based health education program. Methods: Volunteers (51 men, 48 women) aged 20-85 years old, participants in a community-based health education program in the city of Santo Antônio de Goiás, Brazil, were selected for this study. Anthropometric measures including body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist/height ratio (WHtR) were evaluated. Physical activity level was evaluated based on leisure activity participation, and trunk flexibility was evaluated by the sit and reach test. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test; Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact and Student t tests were performed for comparisons. To analyze the association between trunk flexibility and concomitant CVRFs, Spearman's correlation test and linear regression were employed. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: 7.2% of the volunteers had no CVRF, 10.3% had only one CVRF and 82.5% had two or more CVRFs, with no differences between sexes. Increased abdominal adiposity, as assessed by WHtR (p = 0.0097), and systemic arterial hypertension (p = 0.0003) were the most prevalent CVRFs, with differences between age groups. A strong negative correlation was found between mean trunk flexibility and the number of concomitant CVRFs (r = -0.96, p < 0.0028). Conclusion: The strong negative correlation between trunk flexibility and concomitant CVRF indicates an increased risk for cardiovascular events. Therefore, trunk flexibility measurement may be an additional tool for health promotion and prevention of cardiovascular and associated diseases in community health programs.

Body Fat Percentage and Normal-Weight Obesity in the Chinese Population: Development of a Simple Evaluation Indicator Using Anthropometric Measurements.

Few studies explore the associations between body fat percentage (BFP) prediction and evaluation indicators for Chinese with normal-weight obesity. We aimed to explore convenient and cost-free BFP evaluation indicators to routinely monitor BFP status in Chinese patients with normal-weight obesity. Participants (N = 164) were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) and BFP: normal-weight lean, normal-weight obese, and overweight and obese. Differences in body composition and circumference were compared to examine the relationship between BFP and circumference, determine a simple evaluation indicator reflecting BFP, and identify cutoff values for normal-weight obesity circumference. Significant differences in body composition and circumference were observed among the three groups. The correlation between thigh/height, hip/height, (hip + waist)/height, and BFP was stronger than that with BMI. The (hip + waist)/height ratio was the indicator most reflective of BFP (95% confidence interval: 3.004−9.018, p = 0.013), and a ratio above 1.115 (95% confidence interval: 0.936−0.992, p < 0.001) was predictive of normal-weight obesity. Furthermore, we suggest that the upper value for a normal BMI in Chinese individuals be lowered to 23.4 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval: 0.984−0.999, p < 0.001). The (hip + waist)/height ratio can be used with body mass index for a more accurate evaluations of BFP abnormalities and health risks.