Correlation between cardiovascular disease risk factors and simple anthropometric measures. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group

To assess simple anthropometric measures as indicators of the concurrent presence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus in adults.

Population-based, cross-sectional surveys.

Five Canadian provinces between 1990 and 1992.

A probability sample of 16,007 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected using health insurance registration files in each province. This study is based on the 9826 adults (61%) for whom anthropometric measurements were obtained.

Step-wise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between demographic, anthropometric and risk variables and the presence of high systolic and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, elevated levels of total (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TC/HDL ratio, triglyceride levels (TRIG) and self-reported diabetes mellitus.

Age group and sex are strongly associated with all three conditions. Sedentary lifestyle is significantly associated with high DBP, depressed HDL and elevated TC/HDL and TRIG. Anthropometric measures are moderately associated with all conditions. The measures of body fat (body mass index) as well as abdominal fat distribution (waist circumference and ratio of waist to hip circumference) play an approximately equal role.

Patients' age, sex, level of physical activity, body fat and abdominal fat distribution can be used as indicators of the probability of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.