Waist circumference and hip circumference as potential predictors of visceral fat estimate among type 2 diabetic patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana

Abstract

Background: Although visceral fat (VF) and its influence on cardiovascular diseases have been extensively studied among diabetic patients, there is a need for an easier, and less expensive but equally good predictor for VF. This study was conducted to assess potential anthropometric measurements that can be directly linked to visceral fat levels among diabetic patients. Method: 405 diabetic patients attending the Diabetic clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi-Ghana were recruited. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic background and brief medical history. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by direct measurement and visceral fat levels was measured using the Body Composition Monitor (Omron ® 500, Germany) which generated digital results on a screen. Results: The total participants comprised 81 males and 324 females, with an average age of 58.5 ± 9.9 years. The females exhibited a higher mean waist circumference (101.4 ± 12.3 cm) and average hip circumference (104.6 ± 9.9 cm) than the males. The female participants also had higher body mass index (BMI) (28.3 ± 5.1 kg/m 2) compared to males (26.5 ± 4.2 kg/m 2). The association between VF and waist circumference was r = 0.631, p ˂ 0.001, followed by hip circumference (r = 0.536; p < 0.001). The significant predictive abilities of waist circumference and hip circumference to identify diabetic patients with high visceral fat were AUC = 0.787; p ˂ 0.001 and AUC = 0.786; p ˂ 0.001, respectively. Conclusion: Waist circumference and hip circumference promise to be potential alternative predictors of visceral fat accumulation in type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of obesity and unrecognized hypertension among bus drivers in Ghana

“…Compared to BMI indicators, the prevalence of obesity based on WC and WHR indicators was 0.9% and 0.4% higher respectively. This is consistent with the findings by several cross-sectional studies [23,24,25] who observed a higher prevalence of obesity when WC and/or WHR were used as obesity measures compared to BMI. This confirms the evidence that increased WC is a stronger indicator of obesity risk compared to BMI [23,26].…”

“…This is consistent with the findings by several cross-sectional studies [23,24,25] who observed a higher prevalence of obesity when WC and/or WHR were used as obesity measures compared to BMI. This confirms the evidence that increased WC is a stronger indicator of obesity risk compared to BMI [23,26]. BMI is currently been considered as an insufficient measure of obesity as it does not correctly identify individuals with excess body fat due to its inability to differentiate fat and fat-free mass and it does not account for the effect of age and ethnicity on body fat distribution [27].…”

Comparison of adiposity anthropometric indices and their associations with visceral fat levels determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis among diabetic patients

“…Diabetic patients usually possess greater quantities of visceral, subcutaneous, total, and intermuscular adipose tissues than healthy people 1 – 4 . Studies have found an association between high VF and cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance in diabetic patients 2 , 3 , 5 . This predisposes diabetic patients to several diabetes complications, metabolic abnormalities, and cardiometabolic diseases 2 – 4 , 6 .…”

“…Studies have found an association between high VF and cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance in diabetic patients 2 , 3 , 5 . This predisposes diabetic patients to several diabetes complications, metabolic abnormalities, and cardiometabolic diseases 2 – 4 , 6 . Based on these findings, it has become necessary to assess an individual’s body composition, particularly percentages of fat and muscle.…”

“…The use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in measuring VF provides valid and reliable estimates 2 , 7 , 8 . However, they are expensive and require professional skills and exposure to radiation 7 , 8 .…”