Analysis of the Association of Obesity Indicators with Diabetes and Hypertension

Aim and ObjectivesThis study was aimed to assess the association between diabetes mellitus and hypertension with various anthropometric measures in adults aged 25-70 years.The specific objectives were to measure obesity indicators like BMI, WC, and WHR among adults with diabetes and/or hypertension and normal controls, and assess the individual risk association of these indices with diabetes and hypertension.By analyzing these relationships, the study seeks to contribute to the development of more effective screening strategies and preventive interventions for these widespread noncommunicable diseases. IntroductIonDiabetes mellitus and hypertension are major contributors to global morbidity and mortality, with their prevalence rising steadily due to lifestyle changes, aging populations, and increasing rates of obesity.Recent estimates suggest that over 537 million adults are living with diabetes, a significant portion of whom remain undiagnosed, leading to escalating healthcare costs and a growing burden on health systems.Central obesity, characterized by the accumulation of visceral fat, has been identified as a key risk factor for both diabetes and hypertension.Anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-adjusted BMI (wBMI) serve as practical, low-cost tools for assessing obesity and associated health risks.While BMI is the most widely used indicator, it does not differentiate between fat types or distribution, making central obesity markers potentially more accurate predictors of cardiometabolic conditions. 1 Despite several studies highlighting the association between these indices and the risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, uncertainty remains about which measure offers the best predictive value and what threshold values are most appropriate for screening.This study was undertaken to explore the association between various anthropometric measures and the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in adults aged 25-70 years.