Associations of Central Adiposity With Subclinical Coronary Calcification and Disease Progression

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a robust marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Body mass index (BMI) may inadequately reflect central adiposity, which may be more strongly associated with CAC burden and progression. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to compare associations of BMI, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with CAC presence and progression in individuals without established cardiovascular disease. METHODS: ), and between-group differences with chi-square interaction testing. RESULTS: = 29%) (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Central adiposity measures (WHR and WC) show stronger associations with CAC presence and progression than BMI, supporting their use as markers of cardiovascular risk while highlighting limitations of BMI alone. (Anthropometrics and subclinical coronary artery calcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis; CRD420251083057).