Correlation of Waist-Hip-Ratio and Waist-Height-Ratio to Cardiovascular Risks Factors in a Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Waist circumference; (WC) waist-to- hip –ratio; (WHR), Waist-to-Height ratio(WHtR), could predict cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Objective: To evaluate the correlation between central obesity measured by waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with cardiovascular risk factors. (serum lipids, fasting blood
sugar (FBS) and blood pressure).
Methods: A total of 104 adults, aged 21-70 years, mean age 39.5 ± 12.5 participated in the study. Height, Waist and hip circumference, blood  pressure, serum lipids and fasting blood sugar were determined.
Results: Abdominal obesity as measured by WC, WHR, WHtR, are significantly higher in females. WC, triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) increased with age for both gender. LDL-C was not
elevated; high HDL-C values were observed in 72% of the population. Fasting blood sugar levels were normal for all subjects. WC, WHR and WHtR were positively correlated with increased serum lipid sub fractions, systolic and diastolic blood pressure for both gender.
Conclusion: The study revealed that central obesity as measured by waist circumference, Waist –to-hip ratio and waist-to height ratio is a good predictor of cardiovascular risk factors

Key words: Waist-to-hip ratio, serum lipids, blood pressure.