Comparison of bioelectrical body and visceral fat indices with anthropometric measures and optimal cutoffs in relation to hypertension by age and gender among Chinese adults

Abstract

Background Few studies have compared bioelectrical body and visceral fat indices with anthropometric measures, or evaluated their optimal cutoffs in relation to hypertension among Asians. We compared the efficiencies of bioelectrical indices (percentage of body fat, PBF; visceral fat area, VFA) with anthropometric measures (body mass index, BMI; waist-hip ratio, WHR) for hypertension and re-evaluated the optimal cutoffs of each index by age and gender. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 8234 adults for health examination. PBF, VFA, BMI, WHR, and data on hypertension and behaviors were collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and areas under curves (AUCs) were used to analyze the efficiencies of the indices for hypertension, optimal cutoffs were estimated using the Youden index. Results A total of 8234 individuals aged 21–91 with median age 44 (interquartile range [IQR] 33–56) years were included and 40.56% were men. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 27.47%. The studied indices were all associated with hypertension in all age-specific groups both among men and women except for WHR in 21–29 years old men and PBF in in 21–29 years old women. Among males, there were no statistical differences in powers of four indices for hypertension in all age-specific groups, except for 40–49 years, in which WHR was better than VFA. Among females, no differences were found among the indices in 30–39 and 70–79 years groups, while WHR was the best in 21–29 years group, VFA was better than PBF in 30–39 and 50–59 years groups, BMI was better than PBF and WHR in 60–69 years group. The optimal cutoffs of PBF, VFA, BMI and WHR ranged from 23.9 to 28.7%, 86.4 to 106.9cm2, 23.5 to 27.1 kg/m2, 0.92 to 0.96 across the age categories in males, and 32.8 to 36.3%, 75.9 to 130.9cm2, 21.9 to 26.4 kg/m2, 0.84 to 0.95 across the age categories in females, respectively. Conclusions The obesity indices’ efficiencies for hypertension varied by age and gender, and their cutoff values varied across the age categories and gender. Specific indices and cutoffs based on person’s age and gender should be used to identify individuals with hypertension.

Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Its Relation to Innovative Anthropometric Indices in Persian Adults

“…In the Zajac et al study, which investigated the relationship between VFA and metabolic syndrome in the female population, they concluded that metabolic syndrome in women is directly related to the VFA index [ 8 ]. In Zhang et al study, they also concluded that the VFA index in women has a strong relationship with hypertension [ 7 ]. Several studies have reported that in Asians, the distribution of total body fat in the abdomen is higher and the incidence of CVD and metabolic risk factors are higher than in European people with the same BMI [ 37 , 38 ] Therefore, BMI as a predictor of vascular disease or organic vascular dysfunction, it is not suitable especially for Asians [ 32 ].…”

“…Also, VAI was proposed as a new anthropometric measure in 2010 [ 6 ]. VFA measures the fat that is stored around a number of critical internal organs, including liver, intestine, and pancreas [ 7 ]. WHR is one of the markers of abdominal obesity and has shown an improved ability to identify cardiovascular disease [ 3 ].…”

Relationship between novel anthropometric indices and the incidence of hypertension in Chinese individuals: a prospective cohort study based on the CHNS from 1993 to 2015

“…On the basis of Choi’s study, we further found a greater risk of new-onset hypertension in age < 40 years old for each z score increase in BRI. Similarly, Zhang et al also found that age might influence the relationship between AHIs and hypertension by conducting a cross-sectional survey in 8234 Chinese adults [ 31 ]. These results suggested that it is crucial to choose a proper index for hypertension screening according to the specific age.…”

Ratio of visceral fat area to body fat mass (VBR) is a superior predictor of coronary heart disease

“…All measurements were conducted by professional medical staff using standard methods. [4,5] Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 24.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and MedCalc (MedCalc Software, Mariakerke, Belgium). Considering sex differences in adiposity distribution and CHD prevalence, all statistical analyses were stratified by sex.…”

“…A standard questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ age, sex, ethnicity, highest educational level achieved, marital status, occupation, personal, and family history of CHD, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, and physical exercise. All measurements were conducted by professional medical staff using standard methods [4,5] …”