Objectives: To determine which anthropometric measurement correlates best with the metabolic abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome in adolescents and young adults.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Schools, high schools and universities.
Participants: 1359 adolescents and young adults aged 14-25 years.
Main outcome measures: Anthropometric predictors of metabolic abnormalities as classified by International Diabetes Federation definition.
Results: The waist circumference (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.43: p≤0.01) and the abdominal skin fold thickness (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.04, p≤0.01) above the third quintile cut-offs were found to be significantly associated with metabolic abnormalities. The sensitivity of either one of these measurements in predicting metabolic abnormalities was 66.1% with a negative predictive value of 82.8%. Hyperglycaemia was significantly associated with an abdominal skin fold thickness over the fourth quintile alone (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.1). All the anthropometric measurements correlated well with elevated triglycerides and hypertension.
Conclusions: In a large community-based cross-sectional survey of subjects aged 14-25 years, the waist circumference and the abdominal skin fold thickness are important predictors of the metabolic abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome. This simple clinical tool may help in a primary care setting to identify subjects who require a further biochemical evaluation and would considerably reduce the cost of unwarranted testing.
Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; adolescents; anthropometry; skin fold thickness; waist circumference.