CORRELATION BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS AND SIMPLE ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES

Objective: To assess simple anthropometric measures as indicators of t he concurrent presence of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and diabet es mellitus in adults. Design: Population-based, cross-sectional surve ys. Setting: Five Canadian provinces between 1990 and 1992. Participan ts: A probability sample of 16 007 men and women aged 18 to 74 years w as selected using health insurance registration flies in each province . This study is based on the 9826 adults (61%) for whom anthropometric measurements were obtained. Outcome measures: Step-wise multiple logi stic regression analysis was used to model the association between dem ographic, anthropometric and risk variables and the presence of high s ystolic and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, elevated levels of total ( TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL and low-density lipoprotein cholest erol, TC/HDL ratio, triglyceride levels (TRIG) and self-reported diabe tes mellitus. Results: Age group and sex are strongly associated with all three conditions. Sedentary lifestyle is significantly associated with high DBP, depressed HDL and elevated TC/HDL and TRIG. Anthropomet ric measures are moderately associated with all conditions. The measur es of body fat (body mass index) as well as abdominal fat distribution (waist circumference and ratio of waist to hip circumference) play an approximately equal role. Conclusion: Patients' age, sex, level of ph ysical activity, body fat and abdominal fat distribution can be used a s indicators of the probability of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia a nd diabetes mellitus.