Abstract:

Introduction: Obesity prevalence is increasing among the elderly and obesity is association with diseases. The aim of this study was to determine obesity/ abdominal obesity prevalence according to four different anthropometric indices, and the effect of obesity on cardiovascular (CV) risk in the elderly. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study involved 2,502 elderly participants, 65 years and older, who were parts of Balcova's Heart Project. The dependent variable was CV risk factors; the independent variable was obesity. Obesity measures were Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, Pearson's correlation and Logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of obesity according to body mass index was 48.7%, WC: 52.4%, WHpR: 65.2%, and WHtR: 93.7%. High levels of all of anthropometric measurements were risk factors for diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. All measurements, except for BMI in women, were risk factors for dyslipidemia in both sexes. WHtR and WHpR in men and WC and WHpR in women were predictors of Framingham risk scores. In women, WHtR had more predictive value for CV risk, except for the Framingham risk score; in men WHtR had more predictive value than all other risks. Conclusion: In both genders, obesity (determined with anthropometric measurements) is associated with CV risks. However, abdominal obesity (WHtR and WC) is more effective than BMI in determining CV risk.

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