The Best Central Adiposity Index in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South-Western Nigeria

Objective: To determine the best index of central obesity that predicts cardiovascular risk factors (general obesity and hypertension). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving nine hundred and sixteen (443 males and 473 females) participants of a community health survey in Sagamu and Remo-North Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of the participants were determined by standard protocols. Pearson correlation between BMI and the three central obesity indices was determined. The area under curve (AUC) on the ROC was used to determine the best measure of central obesity which identified individuals with general obesity and hypertension. Results: WHtR and WC were better than WHR at detecting the presence of both general obesity and hypertension in both males (WHtR vs WHR {difference in areas = 0.131} p < 0.0001; WC vs WHR {difference in areas = 0.132} p < 0.0001), and females (WHtR and WHR {difference in areas = 0.214} p < 0.0001; WC and WHR {difference in areas = 0.205} p < 0.0001). Conclusions: WHtR is as good as WC but better than WHR in identifying individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, and may also be a good criterion to diagnose metabolic syndrome.