Waist to stature ratio is more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors than other simple anthropometric indices

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine which is the best anthropometric index among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to stature ratio (WSR) in relation to cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A representative sample of 2895 Hong Kong Chinese aged 25 to 74 years received medical examinations in 1995 and 1996. Anthropometric indices and cardiovascular risk factors in blood were measured, and partial correlation and Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves were used in analysis. RESULTS: Among 11 cardiovascular risk factors in partial correlation analysis, including ties WSR had the highest r in 6 in men, and 5 in women; followed by WC with 4 in men and 6..