BMI category-specific waist circumference thresholds based on cardiovascular disease outcomes and all-cause mortality: Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS)

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference (WC), a representative of abdominal visceral fat, is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its outcomes. We aimed to define body mass index (BMI)-specific WC thresholds as predictors of CVD and all-cause mortality. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study in the context of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), a total of 3344 men and 4068 women were followed up for 18 years. Based on BMI, the participants were categorized into three groups: BMI < 25, 25 < BMI < 30, and BMI > 30. In each BMI category, sex-specific WC thresholds were estimated by the maximum value of Youden's index to predict based on incident CVD events and all-cause mortality prediction. RESULTS: with regard to CVD events were 82, 95, and 103 cm in men and 82, 89, and 100 cm in women, and regarding all-cause mortality, the respective values were 88, 95, and 103 cm in men and 83, 90, and 99 cm among women. CONCLUSION: BMI-specific WC thresholds observed here can help to better identify individuals at high risk of developing CVDs.