Central Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of central adiposity and to compare the correlation of various measures of fatness with cardiometabolic risk among school age Pakistani children. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 85 Pakistani children, ranging in age from six to twelve years, was selected, the study was conducted from January 2011 to November 2011, height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured after parental consent, and investigation requests for fasting lipid profile and blood glucose were given. Children with known metabolic disorders or metabolic profile altering medication were excluded. Results: A total of 26 (30.6%; 95% CI: 20.6 – 40.6%) children had waist circumference above 75th percentile. Triglycerides (p < .001), systolic blood pressure (p < 001), and diastolic blood pressure (p = .013) were significantly higher among those with waist circumference in the highest quartile. Central adiposity, as defined by waist circumference in the highest quartile, showed the strongest correlation with higher values of triglycerides to HDL-c ratio. Conclusion: Among the various measures of fatness, central adiposity has the strongest association with cardiometabolic risk as measured by elevated triglycerides and reduced high density lipoproteins.