A simple cut-off for waist-to-height ratio (0.5) can act as an indicator for cardiometabolic risk: recent data from adults in the Health Survey for England.

A simple cut-off for waist-to-height ratio (0.5) can act as an indicator for cardiometabolic risk: recent data from adults in the Health Survey for England. Br J Nutr. 2019 Dec 16;:1-26 Authors: Gibson S, Ashwell M Abstract The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has acknowledged the value of waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as an indicator for 'early health risk'. We used recent UK data to explore whether classification based on WHtR identifies more adults at cardiometabolic risk than the 'matrix' based on BMI and waist circumference, currently used for screening. Data from the Health Survey for England (4112 adults aged 18y+) were used to identify cardiometabolic risk, indicated by raised glycated haemoglobin, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. HbA1c, total/HDL cholesterol and SBP were more strongly associated with WHtR than the 'matrix'. In logistic regression models for HbA1c>=48mmol/mol, total/HDL cholesterol>4 and hypertension (BP>140/90mmHg or on medication), WHtR had a higher predictive value than the 'matrix. Area under the ROC curve was significantly greater for WHtR than the 'matrix' for raised HbA1c and hypertension. Fifteen percent of adults with raised HbA1c would be judged as 'no increased risk' using the 'matrix' in contrast to 3% using WHtR <0.5. For hypertension, comparative values were 23% and 9%, and for total/HDL cholesterol>4, 26% and 13%. Nearly one third of the 'no increased risk' ...
Source: The British Journal of Nutrition - Category: Nutrition Authors: Tags: Br J Nutr Source Type: research