Associations between anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in women with short stature

The study aimed to investigate which anthropometric indicator are most associated with cardiovascular risk (CVR) in low-income women with short stature and to determine the cut-off point that best determined CVR.

This cross-sectional study was conducted with meticulous attention to detail. We evaluated a comprehensive range of sociodemographic and anthropometric data, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and body adiposity index. Additionally, dietary and biochemical data such as glucose and lipid profile, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), and blood pressure were assessed in 83 women. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Approximately 85% had excess total body fat, 70% had low levels of high-density lipoprotein and increased levels of ultrasensitive CRP, 29.3% were hypercholesterolemic, and 13.4% were hypertensive. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that BMI was the most associated factor of CVR (ultrasensitive CRP) (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.56). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.64 for cholesterol (95% CI 0.517-0.766; p = 0.04) and 0.72 for ultrasensitive CRP (95% CI 0.601-0.840; p = 0.002). BMI cut-off points with the best balance of sensitivity and specificity were 24.0 kg/m² for identifying hypercholesterolemia and 23.8 kg/m² for identifying elevated high-sensitivity CRP levels.

BMI was the most associated factor of CVR in low-income women with short stature. The results indicate that more sensitive BMI cut-off points should be considered to detect CVR in this population group.