[Relation between anthropometric indicators and risk factors for cardiovascular disease]

Studies have been carried out to identify the best anthropometric predictor of chronic diseases in different populations.

To verify the relation between anthropometric measures and risk factors (lipid profile and blood pressure) for cardiovascular diseases.

Transversal study carried out with 180 males and 120 females, with mean age 39.6+/-10.6 years old. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (%BF), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), lipid profile, glycemia and blood pressure were the variables assessed.

BMI, WC and WHR were higher among males, and %BF were higher among females (p<0.001). The proportion of altered cases of WHR and %BF in relation to LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol (TC) was higher among males. The individuals considered normal for WC presented alteration in the values of LDL-c, TC and HDL-cholesterol. There was a correlation between BMI and WC (males: r=0.97 and females: r=0.95; p<0.001). Among males, the best correlation (p<0.001) was presented between WC and WHR (r=0.82) and among females, %BF and WC (r=0.80). Triglycerides (TG) presented correlation to WHR (males: r=0.992; females r=0.95; p<0.001), and to WC (males: r=0.82; females r=0.79; p<0.001). In the multiple analysis (Prevalence ratio - PR, Confidence interval - CI), the BMI were associated with total cholesterol (PR=1.9; 95%CI 1.01-3.69; p=0.051) among males and slightly associated with TG/HDL-cholesterol (PR= 1.8; IC95% 1.01-3.45; p=0.062) among females.

BMI and WHR were the anthropometric indicators with strongest relation to lipid profile in both sex groups. This data support the hypothesis that BMI and WHR may be considered as risk factors for cardiovascular disease.