Associations between anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in women with short stature.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate which anthropometric indicator are most associated with cardiovascular risk (CVR) in low-income women with short stature and to determine the cut-off point that best determined CVR.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with meticulous attention to detail. We evaluated a comprehensive range of sociodemographic and anthropometric data, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and body adiposity index. Additionally, dietary and biochemical data such as glucose and lipid profile, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), and blood pressure were assessed in 83 women. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

Approximately 85% had excess total body fat, 70% had low levels of high-density lipoprotein and increased levels of ultrasensitive CRP, 29.3% were hypercholesterolemic, and 13.4% were hypertensive. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that BMI was the most associated factor of CVR (ultrasensitive CRP) (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.56). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.64 for cholesterol (95% CI 0.517-0.766; p = 0.04) and 0.72 for ultrasensitive CRP (95% CI 0.601-0.840; p = 0.002). BMI cut-off points with the best balance of sensitivity and specificity were 24.0 kg/m2 for identifying hypercholesterolemia and 23.8 kg/m2 for identifying elevated high-sensitivity CRP levels.

CONCLUSION

BMI was the most associated factor of CVR in low-income women with short stature. The results indicate that more sensitive BMI cut-off points should be considered to detect CVR in this population group.