Measures of Adiposity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2004 | Preventing Chronic Disease: May 2011: 10_0058

ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Measures of Adiposity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2004

R. Charon Gwynn, PhD; Magdalena Berger, MPH; Renu K. Garg, MPH; Elizabeth Needham Waddell, PhD; Robyn Philburn, MPH; Lorna E. Thorpe, PhD

Suggested citation for this article: Gwynn RC, Berger M, Garg RK, Waddell EN, Philburn R, Thorpe LE. Measures of adiposity and cardiovascular disease risk factors, New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2004. Prev Chronic Dis 2011;8(3). http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2011/may/10_0058.htm. Accessed [date].

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract
Introduction
Body mass index (BMI) and indicators of central adiposity have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but ambiguity remains about which measure optimally predicts CVD risk and is best suited for different racial/ethnic groups. We sought to characterize excess adiposity among New York City adults and assess the potential associations between multiple adiposity indicators and CVD risk factors, by race/ethnicity.

Methods
The New York City Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NYC HANES) is a population-based survey of noninstitutionalized New York City adult residents aged 20 years or older. We compared the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), elevated waist circumference (>102 cm for men, >88 cm for women), and elevated waist-to-height ratio (≥0.5) for participants in the 2004 NYC HANES (n = 1,912) and the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 4,075). Logistic regression was used to assess potential associations between each of these indicators of excess adiposity and CVD risk factors (diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia), overall and by race/ethnicity.

Results
The prevalence of obesity among NYC HANES participants was 26% and of elevated waist circumference was 46%, both significantly lower than national estimates (31% and 52%, respectively), whereas the prevalence of elevated waist-to-height ratio was higher (82% vs 79%). Most measures of excess adiposity were significantly associated with all CVD risk factors. No single measure of excess adiposity emerged as most consistently predictive of CVD risk in the general population or by race/ethnicity.

Conclusion
New York City has a lower prevalence of obesity and elevated waist circumference but a higher prevalence of elevated waist-to-height ratio than found nationally. Further investigation into the optimal adiposity measure to predict CVD risk across racial/ethnic populations may be warranted.


full-text:
Preventing Chronic Disease: May 2011: 10_0058


Author Information
Corresponding Author: R. Charon Gwynn, PhD, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032. Telephone: 212-305-9035. E-mail:
crg2128@columbia.edu.

Author Affiliations: Magdalena Berger, Elizabeth Needham Waddell, Lorna E. Thorpe, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York; Renu K. Garg, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Robyn Philburn, Forest Research Institute, New York, New York.