Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2234-8646
eISSN 2234-8840
    Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011 Dec;14(4):385-392. Korean.
    Published online Dec 31, 2011.
    https://doi.org/10.5223/kjpgn.2011.14.4.385
    Copyright © 2011 The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
    Original Article

    Waist-to-height Ratio, a Simple and Practical Index for Screening of Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Aged 17~19 Years

    Ah Reum Kim, M.D. and Chang Ho Hong, M.D.
      • Department of Pediatrics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
    • Corresponding author: Tel: 031-219-5160, Fax: 031-219-5169, (Email: hongch@ajou.ac.kr )
    Received September 24, 2011; Revised November 01, 2011; Accepted November 02, 2011.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    To evaluate the validity and usefulness of the waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) in screening for metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents aged 17~19 years.

    Methods

    Data (body mass index, waist circumference, and height) and blood samples were obtained from adolescents in A University Hospital in 2011. This study included 554 adolescents (176 boys and 378 girls) aged 17~19 years. Dependent variables were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Using the Pearson's correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis, we measured the WHtR against Body mass index (BMI).

    Results

    An assessment was carried out of the ability of the 2 indexes to 1) account for the variability in each metabolic risk factor and 2) correctly identify adolescents with metabolic risk factors. The results revealed that the predictive abilities of the waist-to-height ratio index were better values. The waist-to-height ratio showed superior values in predicting concentrations of DBP, FBS, TC, TG and LDL-C. However, BMI showed better values in identifying adolescents with high systolic blood pressure and HDL-C. 3) Normal weight adolescents (BMI: 5th≤BMI<85th percentiles) were divided by WHtR (obesity cutoff value: ≥0.51 in male, ≥0.49 in female). WHtR was better than the BMI index for signaling metabolic risk in the normal-weight adolescents.

    Conclusion

    The WHtR is a better predictor for finding metabolic risk factors in adolescents aged 17~19 years with normal BMI. The WHtR is proposed as an alternative, convenient measure of screening metabolic syndrome for adolescents aged 17~19 years independent of age and sex.

    Keywords
    Metabolic syndrome; Adolescents; Waist circumference to height ratio; Body mass index

    Tables

    Table 1
    Definition of Metabolic syndrome in Children and adolescents (by Cook et al.15)) and in Adults (by NCEP-ATIII16))

    Table 2
    Metabolic Characteristics of the Study Population

    Table 3
    Pearson's Correlation between Anthropometric and Metabolic Characteristics

    Table 4
    Clinical Features, Prevalence of Metabolic Risks, in Normal BMI Adolescents Aged 17~19 Years Classified by WHtR

    Table 5
    Odds Ratios (95% CI) for Metabolic Risks, in Adolescents Aged 17~19 Years Classified by WHtR, Adjusted by Age and BMI

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    MeSH Terms
    Adolescent
    Aged
    Blood Glucose
    Blood Pressure
    Body Mass Index
    Cholesterol
    Fasting
    Humans
    Logistic Models
    Male
    Mass Screening
    Risk Factors
    Waist Circumference
    Metrics
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    Tables
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