Original Paper

Comparison of Body Mass Index and Waist/Height Ratio in Predicting Definite Coronary Artery Disease
M. Siavash^a, M. Sadeghi^b, F. Salarifar^c, M. Amini^a, F. Shojaee-Moradie<sup>d

a</sup>Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center and
^bIsfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, and
^cDepartment of Internal Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran;
^dWolfson Center for Translational Research, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guilford, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2008;53:162-166 (DOI: 10.1159/000172977)

  Key Words

• Abdominal obesity
• Anthropometric indices
• Body mass index
• Coronary artery disease
• Obesity
• Waist/height ratio

  Abstract

Background: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio, waist/height ratio (WHtR) and skin fold thickness are clinical tools enabling the evaluation of obesity. WHtR is a recently introduced index to assess central fat distribution. This study was performed to compare the prognostic value of WHtR and BMI for definite coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Shahid-Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The study included 591 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemia. We measured BMI, WC and coronary artery scores of the patients. Prevalence of CAD was compared between obese (BMI 30) and abdominal obese (WHtR 0.55) participants. Results: Prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in abdominal obese patients (WHtR 0.55) than in patients without abdominal obesity (odds ratio, OR = 1.63, p = 0.008). The difference in CAD prevalence between obese (BMI 30) and non-obese patients nearly reached significance (OR = 1.48, p = 0.058). There was a significant positive correlation between CAD score and age (p < 0.01), WC (p < 0.05), and WHtR (p < 0.01) in male participants. Conclusion: WHtR may be a better marker of central obesity and may better predict CAD than BMI and WC.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Assist. Prof. Mansour Siavash Dastjerdi, MD
Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center
Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Sedigheh Tahereh Medical Research Complex
Khorram Street, Isfahan (Iran)
Tel. +98 311 335 9933, Fax +98 311 337 3733, E-Mail siavash@med.mui.ac.ir

  Article Information

Received: February 13, 2007
Accepted after revision: September 1, 2008
Published online: November 14, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 42