Comparison of Anthropometric Indices as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Iran: The PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS)

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of central and general obesity and compare nine anthropometric indices as predictors of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Iranian adults. METHODS A total of 10,520 adults between ages 35 and 70 years old who were referred to the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study were included in this study. Anthropometric indices, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), waist to hip ratio (WHR), conicity index, hip circumference (HC), waist to hip to height ratio (WHHR), body adiposity index, and a body shape index (ABSI), were measured using the standard methods. The risk factors for CVD (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and out of range lipid profiles) were defined by laboratory tests and medical history. The odds ratio of the risk factors based on a unit increase in anthropometric indices was examined by an adjusted logistic model. RESULTS The mean of all anthropometric indices was higher in women than in men (p