Introduction: From the clinical and epidemiological point of view it is very important to define easily measurable and simple anthropometric parameters of mass and distribution of adipose tissue that will also be good predictors of future complications of obesity. The aim of our study was to correlate anthropometric indicators of mass and distribution of adipose tissue with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 155 women aged 45.4 +/- 13.04y. The anthropometric measurements were performed in order to assess adipose tissue mass and its specific distribution. The 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular diseases was assessed by using two score-systems: Framingham and Prospective Cardiovascular Munster Study while the 10-year risk of development of diabetes was assessed by QDScore system.
Results: According to our results, the waist-to-stature ratio was the best predictor of cardiovascular and diabetes risk (r = 0.617-0.780; AUC = 0.872). The estimated cut-off value for the waist-to-stature ratio in cardiovascular and diabetes risk prediction was 0.486. Apart from the waist-to-stature ratio, the body mass index, body fat mass, waist circumference and indicators of upper extremity adiposity also correlated strongly with the assessed risk. The anthropometric indicators of lower body adiposity had no significant diagnostic values.
Conclusion: The waist-to-stature ratio is the best anthropometric indicator of cardiovascular and diabetes risk.