Randomized trial compares obesity indices to identify metabolic diseases in adults, suggesting better metrics needed for older adults.
Key Points
The aim is to compare the effectiveness of various obesity indices in predicting metabolic diseases based on sex and age.
Analyzed data from 8900 Korean adults aged ≥ 20 years from the 2022-2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Evaluated seven obesity indices in relation to metabolic diseases using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses stratified by sex and age.
Waist-to-height ratio and body roundness index had the strongest associations with metabolic outcomes in both sexes.
Discriminatory performance of obesity indices decreased with age, particularly after 50 years, with a body shape index showing weaker associations.
Waist-to-height ratio, body roundness index, and waist circumference were superior in identifying metabolic risk compared to body mass index.