Reevaluation of anthropometric index in assessing obesity

Objective:To study the value of three anthropometric indexes:body mass index(BMI),waist-hip ratio(WHR),waist circumference(WC) on assessing obesity in Nanjing population. Methods:BMI,WHR and WC were measured and evaluation of the total cholesterol,serum triglycerides,LDL-C,HDL-C,apoA,apoB,fasting plasma glucose(FPG),true insulin(TI) and leptin on 3 445 case done.Insulin sensitive index was calculated with equation Si=1/(FPG×TI). Results:Judged by BMI 24(kg/m~2) as the cut-off point,overweight ratios were 48.7% in male and 28.0% in female;Judged by current WHR standard(male 0.90,female 0.85),overweight ratios were 17.8% in male and 14.4% in female.Judged by current WC standard(male 85 cm,female 80 cm),overweight ratios were 24.6% in male and 13.0% in female.It was obvious that standards of BMI,WHR,WC on defining(obesity) were not at the same level.Proper standards were suggested with WHR(male 0.85,female(0.80)) and WC(male 80 cm,female 75 cm).BMI showed stronger relation to glucose metabolic profiles comparing with WHR and WC;while WHR and WC showed stronger relation to lipids metabolic profiles. Conclusion: The standards to define(obesity) using WHR or WC should be modified.WHR and WC are exellent indexes to assess visceral(obesity,) and BMI can be taken as a sensitive parameter reflecting insulin resistant.All three anthropometric indexes are good indicators of obesity judgement.