Association of anthropometric measures and cardio-metabolic risk factors in normal-weight children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The present study aims to explore the association of anthropometric indices and cardio-metabolic risk factors in normal-weight children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional nationwide study was conducted in 2015 among 4200 Iranian school students aged 7–18 years. They were selected using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Anthropometric indices and cardio-metabolic risk factors including fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile and blood pressure (BP) were measured using standard protocols. Results: The response rate was 91.5%. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had a significant positive correlation with waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and body mass index (BMI) in boys and girls. HDL-C had a significant inverse correlation with WC, HC and BMI in boys. For each unit increase in WC, HC and BMI, the risk of elevated DBP significantly increased by 2%, 1% and 11%, respectively. Likewise, for each unit increase in WC, HC and BMI, the risk of elevated BP significantly raised by 2%, 1% and 10%, respectively. For each unit increase in WC, the risk of metabolic syndrome increased by 7%. Conclusions: Anthropometric indices are considered an easy, non-invasive tool for the prediction of cardio-metabolic risk factors in normal-weight children and adolescents.