Relative lower body circumferences are associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and arterial stiffness.
Body circumference is a known health-related factor. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations of relative lower body circumferences with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and arterial stiffness (AS) in 684 men aged > 40 (mean, 54.6 ± 8.5) years. Participants were measured for waist, thigh, and calf circumferences; underwent blood tests and blood pressure measurements to detect MetS; and received brachial ankle pulse wave velocity measurements to measure AS. The waist-to-thigh, waist-to-calf, and thigh-to-calf circumferences were calculated and classified into quartiles. Age-adjusted multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the circumference ratios and AS vs. non-AS and MetS vs. non-MetS (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose). The mean body mass index was 24.9 ± 2.8 kg/m2; the mean waist, thigh, and calf circumferences were 87.4 ± 7.6, 53.8 ± 4.2, and 36.4 ± 2.7 cm, respectively. Compared to the lowest quartiles, participants in waist-to-thigh circumference quartiles 3 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.195, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.825-5.594, p < 0.001) and 4 (OR = 4.755, 95% CI = 2.715-8.325, p < 0.001), and participants in waist-to-calf circumference quartiles 2 (OR = 2.511, 95% CI = 1.397-4.511, p = 0.002), 3 (OR = 3.929, 95% CI = 2.076-7.435, p < 0.001), and 4 (OR = 5.298, 95% CI = 2.847-9.858, p < 0.001) had significantly greater risks of MetS; participants in waist-to-calf circumference quartile 4 (OR = 2.481, 95% CI = 1.477-4.167, p < 0.001) and participants in waist-to-calf circumference quartile 4 (OR = 1.763, 95% CI = 1.088-2.856, p = 0.021) had a significantly greater risk of AS, indicating that age-adjusted relative lower body circumferences associate with MetS and AS. Large thigh and calf circumferences may indicate reduced risks for cardiovascular disease.
Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Yong Hwan
YH
Kim
Sports and Health Care Major, College of Humanities and Arts, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju-si, Korea.
Wi-Young
WY
So
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
Arterial stiffness; body circumference; metabolic syndrome