Comparison of classic and new anthropometric indexes for the screening of metabolic syndrome on the working population

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a worldwide epidemy as the result of a high prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. This study was aimed to determine the predictive capacity of some anthropometric indexes on the metabolic syndrome MetS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 636 workers with an overall prevalence of MetS of 14.3%. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves have been carried out to determine the cut-off values. Diagnostic accuracy was determined from the sensitivity and specificity, predictive values, validity index, and Youden index. Results: Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Body Round Index (BRI) were the variables with the highest area under the curve (AUC) both with 0.89 CI 95% (0.858-0.927), followed by Waist Circumference with 0.87 CI 95% (0.83-0.909). The most outstanding cut-off values were: WtHR (0.54), with a sensitivity of 90.1% and a specificity of 76.1% and BRI (4.15) achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 90.1% and 76.1%, respectively. Conclusions: WHtR and BRI are the anthropometric indicators that best discriminate the incidence and prevalence of MetS on the working population. In addition, they show a significant discriminatory capability of abdominal obesity.