Obesity measures carry equal weight
13 June 2003
Three measures of obesity are equally good at predicting increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a large Australian study to be presented for the first time at an international conference this weekend.
After taking age into consideration, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were equally good predictors of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia (abnormal blood fat levels often including high cholesterol), the study showed.
But simplicity, and being the best indicator of abdominal fat, makes waist circumference the personal preference of study co-author Professor Paul Zimmet, director of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne.
'There was not much in it between the measures,' Professor Zimmett said. 'As long as you do it properly, it doesn't really matter which one you use.'
The research, which will be presented at the American Diabetes Association's 63rd scientific session in New Orleans, involved a representative sample of 11,247 Australian adults in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) survey.
The researchers studied whether the association between obesity and the various risk factors depended on the obesity measure used.
BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were all used to assess obesity.
A fasting blood sample, oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure measurements and questionnaires were also completed.
While waist-to-hip ratio had a stronger association with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia than the other methods, it was not apparent after taking age into consideration.
Last Reviewed: 16 June 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 13/6/03
