Correlation between waist-to-height ratio and other anthropometric indices in the Bosnian elderly

The objective of the present study was to explore whether gender differences exist in waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) values and to assess the correlation between WtHR and other obesity indicators after categorising older adults of Bosnian descent based on the presence or absence of abdominal obesity.

The study included 151 inhabitants of the Geriatric Centre in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, aged 65 years and older (66 males and 85 females). Anthropometric indices and blood pressure values were measured by standard methods. WtHR was calculated using the following formula: waist circumference (WC) (cm)/height (cm). Differences between compared groups were analysed using the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. Correlations were assessed by Spearman's or Pearson's test.

Females had significantly higher WtHR values compared to males. Significant positive correlation was determined between WtHR and body mass index (BMI), WC, hip circumference (HC), neck circumference (NC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference (CC), and the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) in both male and female elderly individuals. In elderly participants with abdominal obesity, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between WtHR and all of the tested anthropometric indices. Amongst elderly participants without abdominal obesity, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between WtHR and BMI, WC, MUAC, and the WWI. However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between WtHR and HC, NC or CC in elderly participants without abdominal obesity.

The results of this study imply that WtHR is a valid parameter for assessing abdominal obesity in elderly individuals. The observed WtHR values indicate that women are at greater health risk than men. Given the high prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in older adults and the demonstrated limitations of BMI, we propose that WtHR should be incorporated into routine clinical practice for obesity assessment in this age group.