Assessment of anthropometric adiposity indicators associated with cardiometabolic risk in primary healthcare

Abstract

Introduction: Excess adiposity, particularly central adiposity, is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. The combined use of multiple anthropometric indicators may improve the assessment of cardiometabolic risk in primary healthcare settings. Aim: To assess anthropometric indicators of adiposity associated with cardiometabolic risk among adults attending primary healthcare centers. Material and methods: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 113 adults aged 19–60 years attending three primary healthcare centers in Guayaquil, Ecuador. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and neck circumference (NC) were assessed. Variables were described using means, standard deviations, and frequencies. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean age of participants was 40.8 ± 12.5 years, and 57.5% were women. Mean BMI was 28.6 ± 4.5 kg/m², with an obesity prevalence of 32.7%. Cardiometabolic risk was identified in 73.5% of participants according to WHtR, 60.2% according to WC, 59.3% according to WHR, and 39.8% according to NC. Men showed greater central obesity, whereas women had a higher prevalence of BMI-defined obesity. Additionally, more than half of the population presented an anthropometric profile associated with cardiometabolic risk despite the absence of BMI-defined obesity. Conclusions: Anthropometric indicators revealed a high frequency of cardiometabolic risk in the studied population, even in the absence of BMI-defined obesity.