The utility of waist circumference in assessment of obesity

The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between waist circumference and waist hip ratio and body mass index. Also to assess if a simple measurement like the waist circumference can be used as an independent indicator for detecting health risk and management. 500 men and 500 women were included in this study from the out patient department and indoor wards of Medical College, Calcutta. Only 7% of the males and 16% of the females had body mass index > or = 25. About 50% of both males and females had waist hip ratio above the desirable range (0.80 for females and 0.95 for males). About 99% of females with, waist circumference > or = 72 cm. had either body mass index > or = 25 or high waist hip ratio > or = 0.80 or both. Similarly 99% of males with waist circumference > or = 80 cm. had either high body mass index > or = 25 or high waist hip ratio > or = 0.90 or both. Waist circumference is simple to assess and can be used as an independent measurement to identify those at risk from either increased body weight or central fat distribution or both.