Waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio as predictors of cardiac risk among adult women-case of Kawaala health centre III

Abstract

Objectives: (i) To assess the correlation between waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) for prediction of cardiac risk among adult women at Kawaala Health Centre III. (ii) To assess the sensitivity of waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio in prediction of cardiac risk among adult women. Method: This cross sectional study included 200 adult women with Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 and greater, aged 19 years and above at Kawaala Health Centre III. Waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, waist to height ratio, body mass index and blood pressure were obtained from random selection of participants. Correlations and area under the receiver operating curve were used to find the relationships and sensitivity of the anthropometric parameter that mostly predicts cardiac risk among adult women. Results: Waist circumference and waist to height ratio had a positive weak significant correlation with blood pressure. Waist circumference had a higher sensitivity for cardiac risk since it gave a bigger area under the receiver operating curve compared to waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio. Conclusion: Waist circumference could be used for prediction of cardiac risk together with other associated factors.