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Obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors in Thai adults

International Journal of Obesity volume 30, pages 1782–1790 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To examine the relationship of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes in Thai population.

Design:

A national cross-sectional survey of cardiovascular risk factors.

Subjects:

Five thousand and three hundred five Thai adults aged ⩾35 years.

Measurements:

Body weight, height, waist and hip circumference and cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, total plasma cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Age- and sex–specific means and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were calculated and compared among anthropometric measurements.

Results:

There were increasing trends of severity of cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of morbidity conditions across increasing levels of BMI, WC, WHpR and WHtR categories. For age group ⩾65 years, WC, WHpR and WHtR provided more consistent association with cardiovascular risk factors than BMI. Area under the curve indicated that measurement of central obesity could predict cardiovascular risk better than BMI. The optimal cutoff points for anthropometric measurements were in line with the Asia-Pacific recommendation; however, similar cutoff point for men and women between 82 and 85 cm was observed.

Conclusion:

Central obesity indices were slightly better associated with cardiovascular risk factors compared to BMI in Thai adults aged ⩾35 years.

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Acknowledgements

InterASIA Collaborative Group: Thailand: Mahidol University, Bangkok – Paibul Suriyawongpaisal, Sayan Cheepudomwit, Porntip Loelekla, Piyamitr Srithara; Bangkok - Poolsook Sariyaporn, Pairao Pongchoke, Somboon Jaiyavat, Charermsri Nantawan, Vachira Kasikoson; North - Somsak Thamthitiwat, Penprapa Siviroj, Jiraporn Suwanteerangkul; Northeast - Pyatat Tasanavivat, Pattapong Kessomboon, Sujinan Horas; South - Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Tada Yipintsoi, Nualta Apakupakul, Walla Jirathamopas, Woravut Jintapakorn; Central - Vongsvat Kosulwat, Atitada Boonpraderm, Amornrat Wongchanapai, Chayanist Wanijjakul. Australia: Institute for International Health, University of Sydney - Neil Chapman, Sam Colman, Stephen MacMahon, Bruce Neal, Ronald Stolk, Mark Woodward. Steering Committee: Jiang He, Paul Whelton, Dale Glasser, Dongfeng Gu, Stephen MacMahon, Bruce Neal, Rajiv Patni, Robert Reynolds, Paibul Suriyawongpaisal, Xigui Wu, Xue Xin, Xin-Hua Zhang.

Financial support: The InterASIA study was funded by a contractual agreement between Tulane University, LA, USA and Pfizer, Inc., NY, USA. Two researchers employed by Pfizer, Inc. were members of the Steering Committee that designed the study. However, the study was conducted, analyzed, and interpreted by the investigators independent of the sponsor. Finally, we thank Professor Dr Amnuay Thithapandha for his kindness help in editing this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Community Medicine Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

    W Aekplakorn & P Suriyawongpaisal

  2. Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

    V Kosulwat

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  1. W Aekplakorn
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Correspondence to W Aekplakorn.

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Aekplakorn, W., Kosulwat, V. & Suriyawongpaisal, P. Obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors in Thai adults. Int J Obes 30, 1782–1790 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803346

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