Anthropometric and body composition indices offer a non-invasive and cost-efficient approach to assessing body fat distribution. This study designed to assess the effectiveness of both conventional and novel anthropometric indices in diagnosing abdominal obesity among women, with a particular focus on waist circumference (WC) as a central metric. A cross-sectional analysis was done on 916 healthy women aged 18-50 years. Measurements included weight, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference, with novel indices derived from these data. Percent Body Fat (PBF) and Visceral Fat Area (VFA) were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the diagnostic accuracy of the indices was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The Abdominal Volume Index (AVI) and Fat Mass (FM) demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy, with Youden Indices of 1.00 (AUC = 1.00) and 0.99 (AUC = 0.99), respectively. In contrast, the A Body Shape Index (ABSI) (Youden index = 0.003, AUC = 0.37) and Hip Index (HI) (Youden index = -0.67, AUC = 0.11) showed poor diagnostic performance. Notably, the Body Mass Index adjusted for Fat Mass (BMI FAT) (Youden index = 0.88, AUC = 0.98) outperformed traditional BMI (Youden index = 0.83, AUC = 0.98), underscoring its potential for more accurate obesity classification. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate anthropometric indices for the accurate assessment and management of abdominal obesity in women, providing valuable insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.
Fatemeh Ghannadiasl (Sun,) studied this question.