Anthropometric Indices Based on Waist Circumference as Measures of Adiposity in Children

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Santos, S (Author) Other; Severo M (Author) FMUP; Lopes C (Author) FMUP; Oliveira A (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Obesity

Vol. 26

Pages: 810-813

ISSN: 1930-7381

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-XWA

DOI: 10.1002/oby.22170

Abstract (EN): ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of body fat patterns and single measures in assessing body fat and to clarify the use of indices based on waist circumference as measures of adiposity in children. MethodsThis study included 2,531 7-year-old children from the Generation XXI birth cohort (Porto, Portugal). Anthropometrics were obtained by trained personnel and whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed. ResultsPrincipal component analysis identified two body fat patterns. Pattern 1 (BMI, fat mass index from tetra-polar bioelectric impedance, and waist-to-height ratio) showed strong correlations with DXA fat mass index (r=0.85; P<0.001), and pattern 2 (waist-to-hip, waist-to-thigh, and waist-to-weight ratios) showed moderate correlations with DXA central fat (r=0.35; P<0.001). Compared with single measures, body fat patterns showed similar correlations with DXA-derived measures. ConclusionsCompared with single anthropometric indices, body fat patterns seem to add little value for estimating body fat in children. Waist-to-height ratio seems to be a proxy for total fat, while waist-to-hip, waist-to-thigh, and waist-to-weight ratios seem to be proxies for central fat. Further studies should address the predictive ability of waist-to-weight ratio to identify children at risk of developing cardiometabolic disease, as this was the first time describing its potential usefulness.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4