Abstract:
Anthropometric cut-offs derived for Caucasians may not
be applicable to other populations .such as South Asians with higher CVD risk. To
define population specific anthropometric cut-off values to define CVD risk in Sri
Lankan adults. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 4532 noninstitutionalized adults aged >/18 years was analyzed. Body mass index (BMI),
waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure was
measured by standard methods. Overnight fasting venous blood samples were
collected for glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and
triacylglycerol measurements. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also
preformed. Cut-offs values were derived to provide combined maximum
sensitivity and specificity used Receiver Operation Characteristic Curve (ROC)
analysis. Results: The age-adjusted BMI, WC, WHR were significantly associated
with all cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.001). Cut-off values for BMI, WC and
WHR for males were 20.7kg/m2, 76.5cm and 0.89 respectively. The respective
values for females were 22.0 kg/m2 , 76.3cm and 0.85. The common cut-off value
for BMI for males and females was 21.5 kg/m2 . Similarly, WC and WHR cutoff
values for both males and females were 76.3cm and 0.87 respectively. The
proposed Asian and Caucasian anthropometric cut-off levels showed lower
sensitivity and higher false classification as compared to newly derived cut-offs.
Conclusions: All three anthropometric indices BMI, WC and WHR indicate CVD
risk. We propose the following anthropometric cut-offs points to identify high
CVD risk level and for public health intervention among Sri Lankan Adults: BMI
>/21.5Kg/m2, WC >/76 cm and, WHR >/85(women) and 0.90 (men)
