Central Adiposity and Accumulation of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors may accumulate during young adulthood before clinical disease develops. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) may provide additional information on central adiposity beyond body mass index (BMI). Objective: This study described cardiometabolic risk accumulation and its association with BMI and WHtR among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 46 medical students. Anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, sleep duration, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, physical activity, and family history were assessed. BMI was categorized as <23 or ≥23 kg/m² and WHtR as <0.50 or ≥0.50. Seven risk indicators were combined into a total score. BMI and WHtR categories were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, while risk scores were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: WHtR ≥0.50 was found in 39.1% of participants, compared with 28.3% with BMI ≥23 kg/m². Short sleep duration (<7 hours) was the most common risk factor (91.3%), followed by a family history of cardiometabolic disease (58.7%). Overall, 63.0% had 2–3 risk factors and 21.7% had ≥4. BMI category was associated with WHtR category (p<0.01). Participants with BMI ≥23 kg/m² had higher risk scores than those with BMI <23 kg/m² (median 3 vs. 2; p=0.036). Scores were also higher among those with WHtR ≥0.50 than <0.50 (median 4 vs. 2; p<0.001). Conclusion: Cardiometabolic risk factors accumulated among clinically healthy medical students. WHtR may provide additional information on central adiposity beyond BMI.