Waist-to-height ratio bests BMI for predicting fat mass in children

Waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) is a cheap various to physique mass index (BMI) for predicting fats mass (FM) in pediatric sufferers, in accordance with a examine revealed on-line March 5 in Pediatric Analysis.

Andrew O. Agbaje, M.D., Ph.D., from the College of Japanese Finland in Kuopio, examined settlement of surrogate measures of adiposity with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-measured physique composition. The evaluation included 7,237 9-year-old youngsters taking part within the Avon Longitudinal Research of Mother and father and Youngsters, with 15-year follow-up information.

Agbaje discovered that in follow-up, BMI, whole FM, and trunk FM elevated, however WHtR was comparatively secure. Over time, WHtR offered higher absolute settlement with whole FM in addition to trunk FM (males: intraclass correlation [ICC], 0.84; females: ICC, 0.81) in contrast with BMI (males: ICC, 0.65; females: ICC, 0.72). For predicting extra whole FM (seventy fifth to 95thpercentile), the WHtR minimize level was 0.50 to 0.53 in males (space beneath the curve [AUC], 0.86 to 0.94; sensitivity: 0.51 to 0.79; specificity: 0.93 to 0.95). In females, the WHtR minimize level for predicting extra whole FM was 0.52 to 0.54 (AUC, 0.83 to 0.95; sensitivity: 0.38 to 0.68; specificity: 0.92 to 0.95). For trunk FM, outcomes had been related.

“This examine supplies novel data that will be helpful in updating future childhood weight problems pointers and coverage statements,” Agbaje mentioned in an announcement. “The common waist circumference-to-height ratio in childhood, adolescence, and younger maturity is 0.45; it doesn’t fluctuate with age and amongst people like BMI.”

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