Waist-to-thigh ratio can also be a better indicator associated with type 2 diabetes than traditional anthropometrical measurements in Taiwan population.
OBJECTIVE
Using three-dimensional (3D) scanning data along with other existing subject's medical profiles to search for better anthropometric markers in association with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM).


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study with 6007 subjects undergoing health examination in a period of 3 years, the authors adopted data from 3D scanning with hundreds of body measures and conducted factor analysis to search for practical indicators better associated with type 2 DM. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze strength of association between indicators and presence of type 2 DM.


RESULTS
The trunk component derived from factor analysis was positively associated with type 2 DM, regardless of obesity status. However, lower limbs component was found to be negatively associated with type 2 DM in the same stratifications. Waist was thus found as the strongest indicator among practical measures of trunk component. The strength of association between thigh and type 2 DM was found to be the highest among practical measures of lower limbs component. A marker from taking the ratio of waist to thigh (WTR) was derived from the approach which was found to be the best indicator for association with type 2 DM while comparing to body-mass index, waist circumference, or waist-hip ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
This study offers a low-cost, noninvasive practical marker that is better associated with the presence of type 2 DM. WTR, with further study, may be used in clinical practice, epidemiological study, and preventive medicine in the future.
Chuang
Yi-Chou
YC
Department of Health Care Management, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, ROC. jane@mail.cgu.edu.tw
Hsu
Kuang-Hung
KH
Hwang
Chorng-Jer
CJ
Hu
Pai-Min
PM
Lin
Tzu-Miao
TM
Chiou
Wen-Ko
WK
D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013848:Thigh