Comparison of BMI, WC, and Body Fat Percentage in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the relative usefulness of measuring body fat percentage by bioimpedance, BMI, and waist circumference, respectively, for the purpose of predicting metabolic syndrome.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we studied 14,400 subjects between the ages of 20-80 years. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to confirm correlation coefficients between BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage and metabolic syndrome. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the odds ratio between three obesity indicators and metabolic syndrome.

Results: In the Spearman correlation analysis, the correlation between body fat percentage and waist circumference and the correlation between body fat percentage and BMI were less than the correlation between BMI and waist circumference. (Body fat percentage and waist circumference =0.61, body fat percentage and BMI=0.69, BMI and waist circumference=0.81 in males; and body fat percentage and waist circumference=0.61, body fat percentage and BMI=0.74, 0.77 in females). Body fat percentage, BMI and waist circumference all showed statistically significant correlation to metabolic syndrome in the logistic regression analysis (waist circumference: odds ratio(OR)=1.11, BMI:OR=1.09, body fat percentage: OR=1.05 in males, waist circumference: OR 1.15, BMI:OR=1.08, body fat percentage: OR=1.03 in females, P≤0.05). In the univariate analysis the odds ratio of body fat percentage was the highest among the three indicators in males (OR=1.17, 95%CI 1.15-1.18, P≤0.05)

Conclusion: Assessment of total body fat percentage by bioimpedence, waist circumference or body mass index are similar in predicting metabolic syndrome.