Waist-to-Thigh Ratio Can also be a Better Indicator Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Than Traditional Anthropometrical Measurements in Taiwan Population

Yi Chou Chuang*, Kuang Hung Hsu, Chorng Jer Hwang, Pai Min Hu, Tzu Miao Lin, Wen Ko Chiou

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Using three-dimensional (3D) scanning data along with other existing subject's medical profiles to search for better anthropometric markers in association with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Methods: In this cross-sectional study with 6007 subjects undergoing health examination in a period of 3 years, the authors adopted data from 3D scanning with hundreds of body measures and conducted factor analysis to search for practical indicators better associated with type 2 DM. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze strength of association between indicators and presence of type 2 DM. Results: The trunk component derived from factor analysis was positively associated with type 2 DM, regardless of obesity status. However, lower limbs component was found to be negatively associated with type 2 DM in the same stratifications. Waist was thus found as the strongest indicator among practical measures of trunk component. The strength of association between thigh and type 2 DM was found to be the highest among practical measures of lower limbs component. A marker from taking the ratio of waist to thigh (WTR) was derived from the approach which was found to be the best indicator for association with type 2 DM while comparing to body-mass index, waist circumference, or waist-hip ratio. Conclusion: This study offers a low-cost, noninvasive practical marker that is better associated with the presence of type 2 DM. WTR, with further study, may be used in clinical practice, epidemiological study, and preventive medicine in the future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)321-331
Number of pages11
JournalAnnals of Epidemiology
Volume16
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 05 2006

Keywords

  • Body Mass Index
  • Obesity
  • Preventive Measures
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

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