Key result
The waist-to-height ratio was the most effective index for predicting metabolic abnormalities in most Chinese adults, with an optimal threshold of 0.51 in women and 0.53 in men.
Why the study?
Obesity defined by BMI is a heterogeneous condition with varying metabolic manifestations, and the best anthropometry index for predicting metabolic abnormalities remains unclear.
Does waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) predict metabolic abnormalities better than BMI in Chinese adults?
Cross-Sectional (n=9,517)
Does waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) predict metabolic abnormalities better than BMI in Chinese adults?
Waist-to-height ratio is a more effective index than BMI for predicting metabolic abnormalities in most Chinese adults, except for elderly women.
May inform metabolic screening in Chinese adults; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before practice change.
AIMS: Obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI), is a heterogeneous condition with varying metabolic manifestations, and the best index for predicting metabolic abnormalities remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the most suitable anthropometry index for predicting metabolic abnormalities in Chinese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the data obtained from 9517 Chinese adults who underwent physical examination, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and laboratory examinations between March 2018 and March 2022. Participants were further divided into eight subgroups according to age, BMI, and sex. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden index values were calculated to identify the best predictor of metabolic abnormalities in Chinese adults. RESULTS: The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the largest area under the curve for predicting metabolic abnormalities in men of any age and women aged 18-49 years. However, BMI showed the highest accuracy in predicting metabolic abnormalities in women aged 50 years and older. Based on the highest Youden index, the optimal WHtR threshold was 0.51 in women and 0.53 in men. CONCLUSIONS: The WHtR was the most effective index for predicting metabolic abnormalities in most Chinese adults, whereas BMI showed a higher accuracy only in elderly women. This observation supports WHtR as a novel adiposity marker for screening metabolic abnormalities and shows value for public health practice.
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Hu et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Metabolic abnormalities (n=9,517). Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) vs. Body mass index (BMI) was evaluated on Prediction of metabolic abnormalities. The waist-to-height ratio was the most effective index for predicting metabolic abnormalities in most Chinese adults, with an optimal threshold of 0.51 in women and 0.53 in men.
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