Determination of the best anthropometric index for predicting of lipid profile in Zahedanian overweight and obese women

Although several studies have been conducted about the effectiveness of general and central obesity anthropometric indices on lipid profile, a few surveys are available concerning their relationship. As the determination of the best anthropometric index for the prediction of lipid profile in any population is necessary, the current study was carried out to find out the best anthropometric index in overweight and obese adult women in two nutrition clinics of Zahedan. In a clinical cross sectional study, 728 overweight and obese women aged between 20 and 60 years, who had referred to the two nutrition clinics in Zahedan from July 2005 to May 2006, were investigated. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) of the subjects were obtained and then BMI (body mass index) -as general obesity index- and WHR (waist hips ratio) and WC (as central obesity indices) were measured according to standard protocols. Individual data was collected by means of a questionnaire for each subject. TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglyceride) and HDL-C were enzymatically measured. The LDL-C was calculated according to Fried Wald Equation. The obtained data was analysed employing Pearson correlation coefficient and Z-test for Fisher’s zeta transformation and P0.05 was considered as the significant level. Mean age of the women was 32±9 years and their mean BMI, WHR, WC, and HC were 32±3.5, 0.89±0.13, 99.8±12 and 111±11, respectively. There was a positive significant correlation between BMI with age (r=0.17, P<0.001), WHR (r=0.11, P<0.003), WC(r=0.49, P<0.001) and HC (r=0.45, P<0.001). Similar results were obtained regarding the correlation between WC with age, WHR, and HC. There was not any significant statistical correlation between WHR and HC with age. Pearson correlation coefficient revealed that, with the exception of HDL-C, BMI and WC indices showed positive significant correlation with TC, TG and LDL-C concentration. Such a correlation was not found for WHR and HC indices. After adjustment to age and BMI, the same results were also held especially for TC (r=0.1, P<0.01) and TG (r=0.1, P<0.001) with WC index. There was not any significant correlation between WHR and HC indices with all of the studied variables after adjustment to age and BMI. According to the results, WC is a better anthropometric index for the prediction of lipid profile than WHR in overweight and obese women in Zahedan. However, more studies in this domain are recommended.