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Waist measure reliable in different ethnic groups

By Lilian Anekwe

Waist circumference is an accurate predictor of metabolic syndrome in both white and south Asian patients, say UK GP researchers.

A group from the University of Leicester estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, defined as central obesity and either dyslipidaemia, raised blood pressure or elevated fasting plasma glucose level, using an oral glucose tolerance test in 3,000 members of the general white and south Asian patients at 17 general practices in Leicester.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.7% in south Asians and 32.3% of white Europeans. A waist circumference of more than 88cm was 90.7% sensitive and 52.7% specific for predicting metabolic syndrome in south Asian patients and 94.9% sensitive and 52.0% specific for predicting metabolic syndrome in white patients.

Lead researcher Professor Kamlesh Khunti, professor or primary care diabetes and a GP in Leicester, advised GPs that ‘waist circumference is a simple and effective measure for predicting metabolic syndrome in different populations.'

Primary Care Diabetes, published online 4 Feb 2010

Waist circumference is an accurate predictor of metabolic syndrome in both white and south Asian patients, researchers found Waist circumference is an accurate predictor of metabolic syndrome in both white and south Asian patients, researchers found