Study to assess predictive value of waist to height ratio and body mass index as a risk factor of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Hypertension and diabetes have become important world-wide public-health challenges. Assessment of risk for Hypertension and Diabetes requires identifying an easy tool that can be used by health workers in screening programmes. To compare predictive value of WHtR against BMI in assessing risk of Hypertension and Diabetes. Methods: A case-control study was carried out at MB Hospital and Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) attached to RNT Medical College, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Selected individuals were examined and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were carried out. Odds ratios were derived for quantitative analysis. Results: Observed proportion of BMI ≥ 25 kg /m2 was 60.4% in type 2 diabetes cases, whereas 39.6% in controls. Odds ratio was 2.383. Observed proportion of BMI ≥ 25 kg/ m2 was 66.7% in HTN cases, whereas 33.3% in controls with a Odds ratio of 3.484. An Odds ratio of 3.151, showed existence of strong association of WHtR above 0.5 with hypertension. Observed proportion of WHtR above 0.5 was 56.3% in type 2 diabetes cases, whereas 43.7% in controls and Odds ratio was 4.292. Conclusions: The OR of WHtR in diabetes (4.292) in compared to OR of BMI (2.303), shows the strength of association of WHtR as an alarming risk factor for diabetes than BMI; whereas an equivalent strength of association was observed for hypertension. Study favours the use of anthropometric measures especially WHtR for predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.