Anthropometric indices for predicting cardiovascular risk factors: Ellisras longitudinal study

The aim of the study was to determine which anthropometric indices can best predict the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in the rural village of Ellisras in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 624 young adults (306 males and 318 females) aged 18 to 29 years took part in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured according to the standard procedures. Blood pressure and blood parameters were collected and measured. The stepwise logistic regression was used to determine anthropometric indices that can predict the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors and a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess discrimination abilities of anthropometric indices for cardiovascular risk factors. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in multivariable adjusted models was not found to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors compared to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The area below the ROC curve for the abovementioned indices was above 0.62. The central obesity indices, WC and WHtR, are better predictors of dyslipedemia and hypercholesterolemia, whereas BMI was a better predictor of hypertension among young adults living in rural South Africa between the ages of 18 and 29 years.