Waist Circumference-A Measure for Weight Management

Obesity is a recognised major risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic diseases, osteo-arthritis, syndrome-X and others. The major cardio-vascular metabolic risk factors (high blood pressure, plasma lipids and insulin resistance) all aggregate independently with both Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) and improve with weight loss. Waist circumference relates closely to BMI, gives the best assessment of intra-abdominal fat as opposed to subcutaneous fat and is the dominant determinant in WHR. Waist circumference is also the indicator of changes in intra-abdominal fat during weight loss. It is suggested that waist circumference ≥ 80 cm in males and ≥ 72 cm in females are at risk from either increased body weight or central fat distribution or both. The objective of the study was to estimate the adult subjects above 41 years in urban areas of Dharwad, Karnataka state either at increased body weight or central fat distribution or both.