| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
Original Research Communication |
1 From the Department of Chronic Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands, and the Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Free University, Amsterdam; the Division of Kinesiology, Department of Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Sainte Foy, Canada; the Lipid Research Center, Laval University Medical Research Center, Sainte Foy, Canada; and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.
Background: A high waist-to-hip ratio is associated with unfavorable cardiovascular disease risk factors. This could be due to either a relatively large waist or a small hip girth.
Objective: We sought to define the separate contributions of waist girth, hip girth, and body mass index (BMI) to measures of body composition, fat distribution, and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Design: Three-hundred thirteen men and 382 women living in the greater Quebec City area were involved in this cross-sectional study. Percentage body fat, anthropometric measurements, and abdominal fat distribution were obtained and BMI (in kg/m2) and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. Serum blood lipids were determined from blood samples collected after subjects had fasted overnight
Results: A large waist circumference in men and women (adjusted for age, BMI, and hip circumference) was associated significantly with low HDL-cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05) and high fasting triacylglycerol, insulin, and glucose concentrations (P < 0.01). In women alone, a large waist circumference was also associated with high LDL-cholesterol concentrations and blood pressure. A narrow hip circumference (adjusted for age, BMI, and waist circumference) was associated with low HDL-cholesterol and high glucose concentrations in men (P < 0.05) and high triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations in men and women (P < 0.05). Waist and hip girths showed different relations to body fat, fat-free mass, and visceral fat accumulation.
Conclusions: Waist and hip circumferences measure different aspects of body composition and fat distribution and have independent and often opposite effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors. A narrow waist and large hips may both protect against cardiovascular disease. These specific effects of each girth measure are poorly captured in the waist-to-hip ratio.
Key Words: Waist circumference • hip circumference • waist-to-hip ratio • body mass index • cardiovascular disease risk factors • fat distribution • cholesterol • insulin • blood pressure • Quebec Family Study
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  E Gruson, M Montaye, F Kee, A Wagner, A Bingham, J-B Ruidavets, B Haas, A Evans, J Ferrieres, P P Ducimetiere, et al. Anthropometric assessment of abdominal obesity and coronary heart disease risk in men: the PRIME study Heart, January 15, 2010; 96(2): 136 - 140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. H. Borch, S. K. Braekkan, E. B. Mathiesen, I. Njolstad, T. Wilsgaard, J. Stormer, and J.-B. Hansen Anthropometric Measures of Obesity and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism: The Tromso Study Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, January 1, 2010; 30(1): 121 - 127. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. M Flegal and B. I Graubard Estimates of excess deaths associated with body mass index and other anthropometric variables Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2009; 89(4): 1213 - 1219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. D. Parker, M. A. Pereira, J. Stevens, and A. R. Folsom Association of Hip Circumference With Incident Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Am. J. Epidemiol., April 1, 2009; 169(7): 837 - 847. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. E. Litwin Which Measures of Obesity Best Predict Cardiovascular Risk? J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 19, 2008; 52(8): 616 - 619. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J.-E. Yim, S. Heshka, J. B. Albu, S. Heymsfield, and D. Gallagher Femoral-gluteal subcutaneous and intermuscular adipose tissues have independent and opposing relationships with CVD risk J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2008; 104(3): 700 - 707. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Canoy, S. M. Boekholdt, N. Wareham, R. Luben, A. Welch, S. Bingham, I. Buchan, N. Day, and K.-T. Khaw Body Fat Distribution and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Men and Women in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition in Norfolk Cohort: A Population-Based Prospective Study Circulation, December 18, 2007; 116(25): 2933 - 2943. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. See, S. M. Abdullah, D. K. McGuire, A. Khera, M. J. Patel, J. B. Lindsey, S. M. Grundy, and J. A. de Lemos The Association of Differing Measures of Overweight and Obesity With Prevalent Atherosclerosis: The Dallas Heart Study J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., August 21, 2007; 50(8): 752 - 759. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. T. Williams, K. Hoffman, and I. La Weight-Related Increases in Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, and Diabetes Risk in Normal Weight Male and Female Runners Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 2007; 27(8): 1811 - 1819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Narksawat, J. Podang, P. Punyarathabundu, and A. Podhipak Waist Circumference, Body Mass Index and Health Risk Factors among Middle Aged Thais Asia Pac J Public Health, July 1, 2007; 19(3): 10 - 15. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Azuma, L. K. Heilbronn, J. B. Albu, S. R. Smith, E. Ravussin, D. E. Kelley, and and the Look AHEAD Adipose Research Group Adipose tissue distribution in relation to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, July 1, 2007; 293(1): E435 - E442. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. J G Ketel, M. N M Volman, J. C Seidell, C. D A Stehouwer, J. W Twisk, and C. B Lambalk Superiority of skinfold measurements and waist over waist-to-hip ratio for determination of body fat distribution in a population-based cohort of Caucasian Dutch adults Eur. J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2007; 156(6): 655 - 661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. L Kuk, P. M Janiszewski, and R. Ross Body mass index and hip and thigh circumferences are negatively associated with visceral adipose tissue after control for waist circumference Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2007; 85(6): 1540 - 1544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. de Koning, A. T. Merchant, J. Pogue, and S. S. Anand Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio as predictors of cardiovascular events: meta-regression analysis of prospective studies Eur. Heart J., April 2, 2007; (2007) ehm026v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G N. Thomas, C M. Schooling, S. M McGhee, S.-Y. Ho, B. M Y Cheung, N. M Wat, E. D Janus, T. H. Lam, and for the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Preva Identification of factors differentially associated with isolated impaired fasting glucose and isolated post-load impaired glucose tolerance: the Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factor Study. Eur. J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2006; 155(4): 623 - 632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. A. Kensara, S. A. Wooton, D. I. W. Phillips, M. Patel, D. J. Hoffman, A. A. Jackson, M. Elia, and the Hertfordshire Study Group Substrate-energy metabolism and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease in relation to fetal growth and adult body composition Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, August 1, 2006; 291(2): E365 - E371. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Buemann, A. Astrup, O. Pedersen, E. Black, C. Holst, S. Toubro, S. Echwald, J. J. Holst, C. Rasmussen, and T. I. A. Sorensen Possible Role of Adiponectin and Insulin Sensitivity in Mediating the Favorable Effects of Lower Body Fat Mass on Blood Lipids J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1698 - 1704. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Lo, S. E. Dolan, J. R. Kanter, L. C. Hemphill, J. M. Connelly, R. S. Lees, and S. K. Grinspoon Effects of Obesity, Body Composition, and Adiponectin on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Healthy Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1677 - 1682. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Warren, P. J. Schreiner, and J. G. Terry The Relation between Visceral Fat Measurement and Torso Level--Is One Level Better Than Another?: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, 1990-1992 Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2006; 163(4): 352 - 358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Snijder, R. van Dam, M Visser, and J. Seidell What aspects of body fat are particularly hazardous and how do we measure them? Int. J. Epidemiol., February 1, 2006; 35(1): 83 - 92. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Campos, A. Saguy, P. Ernsberger, E. Oliver, and G. Gaesser The epidemiology of overweight and obesity: public health crisis or moral panic? Int. J. Epidemiol., February 1, 2006; 35(1): 55 - 60. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Canoy, N. Wareham, A. Welch, S. Bingham, R. Luben, N. Day, and K.-T. Khaw Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations and fat distribution in 19 068 British men and women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Norfolk cohort study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2005; 82(6): 1203 - 1209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. A Kensara, S. A Wootton, D. I Phillips, M. Patel, A. A Jackson, M. Elia, and Hertfordshire Study Group Fetal programming of body composition: relation between birth weight and body composition measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometric methods in older Englishmen Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2005; 82(5): 980 - 987. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S G. Wannamethee, A G. Shaper, and P. H Whincup Body fat distribution, body composition, and respiratory function in elderly men Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2005; 82(5): 996 - 1003. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. M. Yalcin, E. M. Sahin, and E. Yalcin Which anthropometric measurements is most closely related to elevated blood pressure? Fam. Pract., October 1, 2005; 22(5): 541 - 547. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. E. Van Pelt, C. M. Jankowski, W. S. Gozansky, R. S. Schwartz, and W. M. Kohrt Lower-Body Adiposity and Metabolic Protection in Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2005; 90(8): 4573 - 4578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S G. Wannamethee, A G. Shaper, R. W Morris, and P. H Whincup Measures of adiposity in the identification of metabolic abnormalities in elderly men Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2005; 81(6): 1313 - 1321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Wang, E. B Rimm, M. J Stampfer, W. C Willett, and F. B Hu Comparison of abdominal adiposity and overall obesity in predicting risk of type 2 diabetes among men Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2005; 81(3): 555 - 563. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. B. Snijder, M. Visser, J. M. Dekker, and J. C. Seidell RE: "CHANGES IN BODY WEIGHT AND BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION AS RISK FACTORS FOR CLINICAL DIABETES IN US MEN" Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2004; 160(11): 1133 - 1134. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Koh-Banerjee, Y. Wang, F. B. Hu, D. Spiegelman, W. C. Willett, and E. B. Rimm Changes in Body Weight and Body Fat Distribution as Risk Factors for Clinical Diabetes in US Men Am. J. Epidemiol., June 15, 2004; 159(12): 1150 - 1159. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Ferreira, M. B. Snijder, J. W. R. Twisk, W. van Mechelen, H. C. G. Kemper, J. C. Seidell, and C. D. A. Stehouwer Central Fat Mass Versus Peripheral Fat and Lean Mass: Opposite (Adverse Versus Favorable) Associations with Arterial Stiffness? The Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2004; 89(6): 2632 - 2639. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I. Janssen, P. T Katzmarzyk, and R. Ross Waist circumference and not body mass index explains obesity-related health risk Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2004; 79(3): 379 - 384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Rohrmann, E. Smit, E. Giovannucci, and E. A. Platz Associations of Obesity with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Noncancer Prostate Surgery in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2004; 159(4): 390 - 397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. B. Snijder, J. M. Dekker, M. Visser, L. M. Bouter, C. D.A. Stehouwer, J. S. Yudkin, R. J. Heine, G. Nijpels, and J. C. Seidell Trunk Fat and Leg Fat Have Independent and Opposite Associations With Fasting and Postload Glucose Levels: The Hoorn Study Diabetes Care, February 1, 2004; 27(2): 372 - 377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. B Tanko, Y. Z Bagger, P. Alexandersen, P. J Larsen, C. Christiansen, and for the PERF study group Central and peripheral fat mass have contrasting effect on the progression of aortic calcification in postmenopausal women Eur. Heart J., August 2, 2003; 24(16): 1531 - 1537. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. B Snijder, J. M Dekker, M. Visser, L. M Bouter, C. D. Stehouwer, P. J Kostense, J. S Yudkin, R. J Heine, G. Nijpels, and J. C Seidell Associations of hip and thigh circumferences independent of waist circumference with the incidence of type 2 diabetes: the Hoorn Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2003; 77(5): 1192 - 1197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. B. Tanko, Y. Z. Bagger, P. Alexandersen, P. J. Larsen, and C. Christiansen Peripheral Adiposity Exhibits an Independent Dominant Antiatherogenic Effect in Elderly Women Circulation, April 1, 2003; 107(12): 1626 - 1631. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Wang, J. C Thornton, S. Bari, B. Williamson, D. Gallagher, S. B Heymsfield, M. Horlick, D. Kotler, B. Laferrere, L. Mayer, et al. Comparisons of waist circumferences measured at 4 sites Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2003; 77(2): 379 - 384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
