Waist circumference, body mass index and health risk factors among middle age Thais

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) and Waist circumference (WC) are important contributors to major causes of health risk factors such as high blood cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar and high blood pressure. This analysis was designed to assess the associations between WC, BMI and each health risk factor in suitable cut-off points for WC and BMI among middle age men and women of Thai population. Cross sectional data from the Second National Health Survey in Thailand conducted during 1996-1997 by Ministry of Public Health in a total of 998 subjects (396 men and 602 women) aged 45-59 years were employed for the analysis. Results from Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC curve) identified those with each health health risk factor demonstrated cut-off points for WC between 81.5-84 centimeters for men and 76-80.5 centimeters for women and BMI between 23.3-23.9 kg/m2 for both genders, respectively. Results from Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated lower risks of having high blood cholesterol, high fasting blood sugar and high blood sugar and high blood pressure with cut-off points 84 cm for men, 80 for women and BMI 23 kg/m2 for both genders compared to cut-off points 102 cm for men, 88 cm for women and BMI 25 kg/m2 for both genders as specified for population in Western countries. Therefore, Waist Circumference among middle age Thai of 84 cm (33.6 inches) for men and 80 cm (32 inches) for women and BMI of 23 kg/m2 for both genders have been proposed from this study. Monitoring changes in waist circumference over time along with BMI may be convenient and useful for middle age Thais to prevent health risk conditions, even in the absence of change in BMI.