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. 2012 Jul;45(7):591-600.
doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2012007500059. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Percent body fat is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index

Qiang Zeng  1 , Sheng-Yong Dong, Xiao-Nan Sun, Jing Xie, Yi Cui
Affiliations

Percent body fat is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index

Qiang Zeng et al. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the predictive values of percent body fat (PBF) and body mass index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors, especially when PBF and BMI are conflicting. BMI was calculated by the standard formula and PBF was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A total of 3859 ambulatory adult Han Chinese subjects (2173 males and 1686 females, age range: 18-85 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases were recruited from February to September 2009. Based on BMI and PBF, they were classified into group 1 (normal BMI and PBF, N = 1961), group 2 (normal BMI, but abnormal PBF, N = 381), group 3 (abnormal BMI, but normal PBF, N = 681), and group 4 (abnormal BMI and PBF, N = 836). When age, gender, lifestyle, and family history of obesity were adjusted, PBF, but not BMI, was correlated with blood glucose and lipid levels. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cardiovascular risk factors in groups 2 and 4 were 1.88 (1.45-2.45) and 2.06 (1.26-3.35) times those in group 1, respectively, but remained unchanged in group 3 (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 0.92-1.89). Logistic regression models also demonstrated that PBF, rather than BMI, was independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, PBF, and not BMI, is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that PBF is a better predictor.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among males and females. *The P value was obtained from the chi-square test. †Data were lost for 3 individuals. ‡Data were lost for 2 individuals. §Data of blood glucose and lipids were lost for 2 individuals. 1 risk factor = subjects with a single cardiovascular risk factor. ≥2 risk factors = subjects with two or more simultaneous cardiovascular risk factors. Any risk factor = subjects with one or more simultaneous cardiovascular risk factors.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Risks for any of the cardiovascular risk factors according to subject groups classified by body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF). *P < 0.01; gender, age, and lifestyle (including smoking, drinking and exercise) were adjusted by the logistic regression analysis (Wald test). Low BMI and PBF was set as a reference. Low BMI and PBF = BMI <25 kg/m2, and PBF <25% (male) or <30% (female); low BMI and high PBF = BMI <25 kg/m2, and PBF ≥25% (male) or ≥30% (female); high BMI and low PBF = BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and PBF <25% (male) or <30% (female); high BMI and PBF = BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and PBF ≥25% (male) or ≥30% (female). 95%CI = 95% confidence interval.
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