title: Waist circumference to height ratio predicts inflammatory risk in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increase in obesity, especially the increase of visceral fat, has been directly associated with health risk. Additionally, a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.5) has been proposed as an indicator of early health risk.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the association between anthropometric measurements and inflammatory mRNA expression and to evaluate the effectiveness of WHtR to predict inflammatory risk in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected in 94 Brazilian children (46 boys) aged 9-11 years. Children were identified as being at inflammatory risk based on cytokine mRNA expression levels at and above the 75th percentile. Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels were determined through buff-coat using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and WHtR showed moderate-to-strong association with inflammatory cytokine mRNA gene expression. WHtR = 0.51 was the most accurate cut-off point in distinguishing children at inflammatory risk. Compared with children with WHtR <0.51, children with a WHtR ≥0.51 presented an odds ratio of 2.643 (95% CI = 1.749-3.994) for both diagnosed IL-6 and MCP-1 above the 75th percentile and 2.796 (95% CI = 1.802-4.338) for TNF-α above the 75th percentile. WHtR = 0.50 presented the same values of sensitivity and odds ratio and ∼7% lower specificity compared to WHtR = 0.51.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anthropometric measurements have shown a moderate-to-strong association with the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes and a WHtR of 0.5 could serve as a cut-off point, suggesting increased risk of inflammatory responses.
authors: a Department of Sport Sciences , Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Brazil.
authors: Edmar Lacerda
authors: EL
authors: Mendes
authors: a Department of Sport Sciences , Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Brazil.
authors: Alynne Christian Ribeiro
authors: ACR
authors: Andaki
authors: b Faculty of Physical Education , Federal University of Juiz de Fora , Brazil.
authors: Ciro José
authors: CJ
authors: Brito
authors: c Postgraduate Program in Nutrition Science , Federal University of Viçosa , Brazil.
authors: Juliano Magalhães
authors: JM
authors: Guedes
authors: d Research Centre in Physical Activity Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto , Portugal.
authors: Maria Paula Maia
authors: MPM
authors: Santos
authors: d Research Centre in Physical Activity Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sports, University of Porto , Portugal.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Mota
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D065927:Waist-Height Ratio
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: Anthropometry; childhood; inflammation mediators; receiver-operating characteristic curve; reference values