Cited by 24Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and LipoproteinsObesity, Physical Activity, DietBody Composition Measurement Techniques

Distribution of waist-to-height ratio and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents: a population-based study

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Lee, Hye Jin, Shim, Young Suk, Yoon, Jong Seo, Jeong, Hwal Rim, Kang, Min Jae, Hwang, Il Tae·2021·Scientific Reports

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) distribution and assess its relationship with cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. A total of 8091 subjects aged 10–18 years were included from a nationally representative survey. Participants were classified into three groups: (1) < 85th, (2) ≥ 85th and < 95th, and (3) ≥ 95th percentile of WHtR. The WHtR distribution varied with sex and age. Whereas WHtR decreased from age 10–15 years in boys and from age 10–12 years in girls, it slightly increased thereafter. Compared to the < 85th percentile group, the WHtR ≥ 85th and < 95th percentile group had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.2 for elevated blood pressure (BP), 1.89 for elevated triglycerides (TGs), 1.47 for reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and 4.82 for metabolic syndrome (MetS). The ≥ 95th percentile group had an OR of 1.4 for elevated BP, 2.54 for elevated glucose, 2.22 for elevated TGs, 1.74 for reduced HDL-C, and 9.45 for MetS compared to the < 85th percentile group. Our results suggest that sex- and age-specific WHtR percentiles can be used as a simple clinical measurement to estimate cardiometabolic risk.

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  • A recent study using KNHANES data to analyze WHtR in children and adolescents aged 10−18 years showed LMS data and percentile values, but it was limited by the lack of data from subjects under the age of 10, that the analysis was conducted without removing extreme values, and the possibility of WHtR variability at both ends of the age spectrum.

    “A recent study using KNHANES data to analyze WHtR in children and adolescents aged 10−18 years showed LMS data and percentile values, but it was limited by the lack of data from subjects under the age of 10, that the analysis was conducted without removing extreme values, and the possibility of WHtR variability at both ends of the age spectrum.33”

    From Reference Values for Waist Circumference and Waist–Height Ratio in Korean Children and Adolescents (2022) · cites this paper as [33]

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Cited by

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Authors
Lee, H. J., Shim, Y. S., Yoon, J. S., Jeong, H. R., Kang, M. J., & Hwang, I. T.
Affiliations
  • Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital (KR)
  • Ajou University Hospital (KR)
  • Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital (KR)
  • Soonchunhyang University (KR)
  • Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital (KR)
Corresponding author
Shim, Young Suk
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2021-05-04
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
9524-9524
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3157950593
Cited by
24
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6
FWCI
3.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • AJOU Open Repository (Ajou University) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
Keywords
waist-to-height ratio, cardiometabolic risk, children and adolescents, metabolic syndrome, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, high glucose, abdominal obesity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Blood Pressure, Body Height, Cardiovascular Diseases, Child, Female, Humans, Hypertension, Cholesterol, HDL, Male, Risk Factors, Triglycerides, Body Mass Index, Metabolic Syndrome, Waist Circumference, Obesity, Abdominal, Waist-Height Ratio

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