Abstract

TORRES-VALDEZ, Maritza et al. Waist circumference cut-off point for metabolic risk factor aggregation: A proposal for the adult population of Cuenca, Ecuador. Rev. argent. endocrinol. metab. [online]. 2016, vol.53, n.2, pp.59-66. ISSN 1851-3034.

Background and objective: Few studies have been conducted on waist circumference in Ecuador. This research aims to determine the cut-off points of waist circumference in an adult population from Cuenca City, Ecuador. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive study, with a multistage random sampling was carried out on 318 adults of both sexes. Participants underwent a medical examination, with anthropometric and laboratory measurements. ROC curves were plotted to determine the waist circumference cut-offs for multiple risk factor aggregation. The IDF/NHLBI/AHA/WHF/IAS/IASO 2009, ATP-III and ALAD criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome. Results: Of the 318 subjects, 57.2% were women. The presence of multiple risk factor aggregation was found in 54.1% (n = 172). ROC curves showed waist circumference cut-offs of 91.5 cm for females (sensitivity: 66.7%; specificity: 62.7%) and 95.5 cm for males (sensitivity: 71.2%, specificity 68.3%). Using these cut-offs the prevalence of abdominal obesity was 53.3% for women, and 52.9% for men. Conclusions: The cut-offs for waist circumference differ from those proposed for the Latin American population. A waist circumference cut-off of 91 cm for women and 95 cm for men from Cuenca city is suggested. It is necessary to unify efforts among the various research groups in the region to establish common values for Latin America based on the different reports to date.

Keywords : Abdominal obesity; Metabolic syndrome; Cardiovascular risk; ROC curves.

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