[Evaluation of abdominal visceral obesity from anthropometric parameters using receiver operating characteristic curves].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the best cut-off point, sensitivity and specificity of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in predicting of abdominal visceral obesity.


METHODS
Abdominal visceral fat area (VA) was measured with magnetic resonance image (MRI) in 690 subjects (men: 305, women: 385). Meanwhile, BMI, WC, WHR were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used as index for analysis.


RESULTS
1) 61.7% of over-weight/obesity (OW/OB) and 14.2% of normal weight (NW) individuals were abdominal visceral obesity (VA >/= 100 cm(2)) by MRI diagnosis. 2) VA was significantly positively correlated with anthropometric variables (BMI, WC, WHR), in which WC was the best (r = 0.73 - 0.77, P < 0.001). 3) The best cut-off points of these anthropometric parameters in assessing abdominal visceral obesity were as follow: BMI: 26 kg/m(2), WC: 90 cm, WHR: 0.93. Among them WC showed most sensitive and specific. 4) 95% men and 90% women appeared abdominal visceral obesity in subjects with BMI >/= 28 kg/m(2) or WC >/= 95 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
BMI, WC, WHR can all predict abdominal visceral obesity, with WC the best.
Jia
Weiping
W
Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai 200233, China.
Lu
Junxi
J
Xiang
Kunsan
K
Bao
Yuqian
Y
Lu
Huijuan
H
Chen
Lei
L
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity