Abdominal adiposity evaluated by two anthropometric pairs and its relationship with cardiovascular risk

Introduction: Obesity is a risk factor, with abdominal adiposity being responsible for most cases of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To evaluate abdominal adiposity using two anthropometric parameters and its relationship with cardiovascular risk in adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional, quantitative study, with 575 adolescents aged 15 to 19, from public schools in Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth score and abdominal adiposity was assessed using waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Statistical analyzes included Student's t test, Kappa coefficient and ROC curve. Results: Waist circumference varied by 3.3% and the waist circumference/height ratio varied by 28.9%. The waist circumference/height ratio was more associated with the average of cardiovascular risk factors. Waist circumference at the 75th percentile showed greater agreement with the waist circumference/height (kappa=0.655), compared to the 90th percentile. Conclusion: The waist circumference/height ratio had a higher prevalence and greater association with cardiovascular risk factors, being Waist circumference at the 75th percentile is most accurate in this population.