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  • Title: Use of the waist-height ratio to predict metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.
    Author: Nambiar S, Truby H, Davies PS, Baxter K.
    Journal: J Paediatr Child Health; 2013 Apr; 49(4):E281-7. PubMed ID: 23521181.
    Abstract:
    AIM: To demonstrate that the waist-height ratio (WHtR) is a simple and effective screening tool that could be used to identify obese children with the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Data from 109 obese boys and girls, aged 10.00-16.50 years, who were recruited as part of the Eat Smart study were analysed. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins), insulin, glucose, height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were collected. These measurements were used to calculate WHtR, body mass index (BMI), Z-scores for BMI, WC, weight and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Correlations between anthropometric measures and blood pressure, lipids, insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR were assessed. Binary logistic regression was used to test which anthropometric measure was a significant predictor of the metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Among boys, WHtR was negatively correlated with glucose (P < 0.05); WHtR and BMI Z-score were positively correlated with insulin, HOMA-IR and TG (P < 0.05) and WC Z-score was significantly correlated with age. Among girls, WHtR, BMI Z-score and WC Z-score were positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.05), whereas BMI Z-score was significantly correlated with SBP and DBP Z-scores. Twenty per cent of subjects were classified as having the metabolic syndrome, with WHtR, BMI Z-score and HOMA-IR being significant predictors. CONCLUSION: The WHtR is a significant predictor of the metabolic syndrome in obese youth. The WHtR is the simplest index to calculate and interpret, making it an ideal non-invasive screening tool to use in clinical practice.
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