Distribution of waist-to-height ratio and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents: a population-based study

Sci Rep. 2021 May 4;11(1):9524. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88951-9.

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) distribution and assess its relationship with cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. A total of 8091 subjects aged 10-18 years were included from a nationally representative survey. Participants were classified into three groups: (1) < 85th, (2) ≥ 85th and < 95th, and (3) ≥ 95th percentile of WHtR. The WHtR distribution varied with sex and age. Whereas WHtR decreased from age 10-15 years in boys and from age 10-12 years in girls, it slightly increased thereafter. Compared to the < 85th percentile group, the WHtR ≥ 85th and < 95th percentile group had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.2 for elevated blood pressure (BP), 1.89 for elevated triglycerides (TGs), 1.47 for reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 4.82 for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The ≥ 95th percentile group had an OR of 1.4 for elevated BP, 2.54 for elevated glucose, 2.22 for elevated TGs, 1.74 for reduced HDL-C, and 9.45 for MetS compared to the < 85th percentile group. Our results suggest that sex- and age-specific WHtR percentiles can be used as a simple clinical measurement to estimate cardiometabolic risk.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Body Height / physiology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Cholesterol, HDL / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Obesity, Abdominal / complications
  • Obesity, Abdominal / metabolism
  • Obesity, Abdominal / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / metabolism
  • Waist Circumference / physiology*
  • Waist-Height Ratio

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Triglycerides