Assessing body shape index as a risk predictor for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome among Iranian adults

ObjectiveSeveral studies have concluded a positive association between abdominal obesity, general obesity, and chronic diseases. However, the best anthropometric measures to predict the risk for chronic diseases should be clarified in each population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the predictive power of A Body Shape Index (ABSI), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio and Clinica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks among Iranians in different age and sex categories.MethodsThis population-based cross-sectional study conducted on 9555 individuals, ages ≥19 y. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical markers were measured using standard protocols. Hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were considered as the CVD risks.ResultsMean (SD) of age and BMI of participants were 38.7 y (mean 15.5) and 25.7 kg/m² (mean 4.6), respectively. ABSI demonstrated the weakest correlations and lowest area under curve (AUC) for various risk factors and MetS. However, the highest odds ratio was observed for ABSI and MetS in different age and sex categories.ConclusionsBased on the AUC, we concluded that ABSI is a weak predictor for CVD risks and MetS. More studies are needed to determine the best predictor of CVD risk among the Iranian population.