Waist circumference as a measurement of obesity in the Netherlands Antilles; associations with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate waist circumference (WC) as a screening tool for obesity in a Caribbean population. To identify risk groups with a high prevalence of (central) obesity in a Caribbean population, and to evaluate associations between (central) obesity and self-reported hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Population-based study.

SUBJECTS: A random sample of adults (18 y or older) was selected from the Population Registries of three islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Response was over 80%. Complete data were available for 2025 subjects.

INTERVENTION: A questionnaire and measurements of weight, height, waist and hip.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Central obesity indicator (WC > or =102 cm men, > or =88 cm women).

RESULTS: WC was positively associated with age (65-74 y vs 18-24 y) in men (OR=7.7, 95% CI 3.4-17.4) and women (OR=6.4, 95% CI 3.2-12.7). Women with a low education had a higher prevalence of central obesity than women with a high education (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7). However, men with a high income had a higher prevalence of a central obesity than men with a low income (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.6). WC was the strongest independent obesity indicator associated with self-reported hypertension (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.4-2.0) and diabetes mellitus (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9).

CONCLUSIONS: The identified risk groups were women aged 55-74 y, women with a low educational level and men with a high income. WC appears to be the major obesity indicator associated with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

SPONSORSHIP: Island Governments of Saba, St Eustatius and Bonaire, the Federal Government of the Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Directorate for Kingdom relationships.