Waist circumference in determining obesity and hypertension among 18-60 years old Bengalee Hindu male slum dwellers in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference (WC) has been previously shown to be the most efficient measure to explain variability in body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (PBF) in Bengalee males, including those under study.

AIM: The objective was to evaluate the relative usefulness of WC and its single suitable value, if any, to identify both generalized obesity and hypertension in Bengalee men.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 433 adult (18-60 years) Bengalee Hindu slum dwelling men. Height, weight, waist circumference, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured. BMI was computed as weight (in kg) divided by height (in metres) squared. Hypertension (HT) was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg. A BMI ≥ 23 kg/m(2) and ≥ 25 kg/m(2) were considered overweight and obesity, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed to determine the best cut-off points to define HT and overweight.

RESULTS: Prevalence of HT, overweight and obesity were 17.6% and 20.1% and 8.3%, respectively. Prevalence of central obesity using the cut-offs of 102 cm, 90 cm and 80 cm were 0.46%, 5.08% and 24.7%, respectively. Both in obese and non-obese, WC ≥ 80 cm was significantly associated with higher SBP and DBP than WC < 80 cm. WC>79.4 cm and>80.3 cm were the most appropriate for detecting HT and overweight status.

CONCLUSION: WC value of ~80 cm could efficiently discriminate both obesity and hypertension among the Bengalee Hindu slum dwelling men aged between 18-60 years. Central obesity, determined by WC ≥ 80 cm, was associated with increased blood pressure and higher risk of HT, independent of age and general obesity.