Clinical predictability of the waist-to-hip ratio in assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors in overweight, premenopausal women12

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 1998-11, Vol.68 (5), p.1022-1027
• Main Authors: Perry, Arlette C, Miller, Paul C, Allison, Mark D, Jackson, M Loreto, Applegate, E Brooks
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: blood pressure; cardiovascular disease risk factors; Central obesity; HDL; LDL; premenopausal women; serum lipoproteins; VLDL; waist-to-hip ratio
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.1093/acjn/68.5.1022

The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is one of the most commonly used anthropometric measures to indicate a cen-tral obesity pattern and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in normal-weight women. Although the American Heart Association has reported that a WHR >0.80 be used to indicate increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women, the present study assessed the WHR above which is seen elevations in cardiovascular disease risk factors in a sample of overweight women. Using data from 240 women aged 27.5-47.5 y enrolled in a university weight-loss program, we determined WHR quartiles: 0.90. All aforementioned variables had a significant odds ratio at a WHR > 0.90 after adjustment for smoking, whereas elevated VLDL, triacylglycerol, and diastolic blood pressure were observed at this WHR after adjustment for a body mass index (in kg/m2) < or >35. Only 2 variables, VLDL and triacylglycerol, had a significant odds ratio at a WHR 0.90, at which point there was an elevation in cardiovascular disease risk factors in already over-weight women. This trend persisted regardless of whether the women smoked or whether their body mass index was < or > 35. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:1022-7.