PREDICTIVE VALUES OF SELECTED ANTHROPOMETRIC INDICES FOR METABOLIC SYNDROME; FINDINGS AMONG APPARENTLY HEALTHY RURAL DWELLERS IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Joel O. Akande*, Adeleye A. Adeomi, Roseline O. Akande*, Olufemi J. Idowu, Opeyemi O. Oni

Background: This study assessed predictive values of selected anthropometric indices for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among apparently healthy rural dwellers where health services were not readily accessible and affordable. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study. A total of 271 apparently healthy adults were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique with a structured questionnaire to collect data. National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel Third ‑III criteria (NCEP ATP III) were used. Results: A total of 71 (26.2%) had metabolic syndrome based on the NCEP ATP III criteria. The findings for the predictive values of the selected anthropometric indices using their area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were similar to the point bi-serial correlation analysis results. Waist Height ratio had the highest predictive value with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.801 (95% CI: 0.744 to 0.858), followed by Waist circumference with an AUC of 0.766 (95% CI: 0.705 to 0.827), then Body Mass Index (AUC: 0.762; 95% CI: 0.701 to 0.823) and lastly Waist Hip ratio with a rather poor AUC of 0.624 (95% CI: 0.545 to 0.703), although all were statistically significant. Conclusion: Waist Height ratio, Waist circumference, Body Mass Index, and Waist Hip ratio have a moderate positive correlation and predictive value for metabolic syndromes. This can be used as a surrogate tool in the early detection of MetS.