The Effects of Obesity-Related Anthropometric Factors on Cardiovascular Risks of Homeless Adults in Taiwan

Abstract

Homelessness is a pre-existing phenomenon in society and an important public health issue that national policy strives to solve. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important health problem of the homeless. This cross-sectional study explored the effects of four obesity-related anthropometric factors—body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)—on cardiovascular disease risks (expressed by three CVD markers: hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia) among homeless adults in Taipei and compared the relevant results with ordinary adults in Taiwan. The research team sampled homeless adults over the age of 20 in Taipei City in 2018 and collected 297 participants. Through anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, and blood tests, we calculated the obesity-related indicators of the participants and found those at risks of cardiovascular disease. The results showed that the prevalence of hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia in homeless adults was significantly higher than that of ordinary adults in Taiwan. Among the four obesity-related indicators, WHtR showed the strongest association with the prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidemia, followed by WHR, both of which showed stronger association than traditional WC and BMI indicators. It can be inferred that abdominal obesity characterized by WHtR is a key risk factor for hypertension and hyperlipidemia in homeless adults in Taiwan. We hope that the results will provide medical clinical references and effectively warn of cardiovascular disease risks for the homeless in Taiwan.

Evaluation of General Health Status of Persons Living in Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods in a Large European Metropolitan City

“…The authors observed that the prevalence of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in the examined patients was significantly higher than in the general population and that the obesity-related indicators, including BMI, were all risk factors for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, a history of myocardial infarction was shown to be more common in participants with higher BMIs; no such link was detected for strokes [49]. In contrast, Yamamoto et al [50] found that the mean BMI and blood pressure in participants living in temporary residences were similar to those of the general population and confirmed the presence of significant correlations between hypertension, liver dysfunction, and dyslipidemia and the duration of both homelessness and residence status.…”

“…In terms of metabolic diseases and associated pathologies, 40 patients reported suffering from CVD, 15 suffered from diabetes, 42 were overweight, and 36 were obese. Research conducted on 297 homeless adults in Taipei City analyzed the participants' obesity-related markers and identified patients at risk of CVD [49]. The authors observed that the prevalence of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia in the examined patients was significantly higher than in the general population and that the obesity-related indicators, including BMI, were all risk factors for hypertension and hyperlipidemia.…”

Who are the homeless and what kind of problems do they have? A review of the literature

“…[47][48][49] The data based on sources from Japan and Taiwan presents European level of obesity frequency. 50,51…”