J Korean Med Sci.  2006 Dec;21(6):1048-1053. 10.3346/jkms.2006.21.6.1048.

Cut-off Values of Visceral Fat Area and Waist Circumference: Diagnostic Criteria for Abdominal Obesity in a Korean Population

• Kim JA
• Choi CJ
• Yum KS

• KMID: 1713117
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2006.21.6.1048

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cut-off values for visceral fat area and waist circumference (WC) associated with an increase in risk for obesity-related disorder, and to validate diagnostic criteria for abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome in a Korean adult population. We included 413 subjects (174 men and 239 women) for this study. Subjects were selected among Korean adults who visited the obesity clinic at St. Mary's Hospital and Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from January 1999 to August 2005. All patients had computed tomography performed. The cut-off value, of visceral fat area associated with an increase risk of obesity-related disorder, according to the receiver operating characteristics curve, was 103.8 cm2 (sensitivity 74.5%, specificity 64.7%, p<0.001). The cut-off value for the WC was 89.8 cm in men (sensitivity 84.7%, specificity 91.7%, p<0.005) and 86.1 cm in women (sensitivity 83.9%, specificity 62.9%, p<0.001). Based on the results of this study, the visceral fat area associated with an increased risk of obesity-related disorder in Korea was 103.8 cm2 and the WC was 89.8 cm in men and 86.1 cm in women.

Keyword

Obesity; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Metabolic Syndrome X; Waist Circumference; Body Weights and Measures

MeSH Terms

Sensitivity and Specificity
Reproducibility of Results
Prevalence
Obesity/classification/*diagnosis/*ethnology
Male
Korea/epidemiology
*Intra-Abdominal Fat
Humans
Health Status Indicators
Female
*Body Size
*Body Composition
Anthropometry/*methods
Adult
*Abdomen

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 ROC (receiver-operating characteristics) curve for cut-off value of visceral fat area (VFA) to increase the obesity-related disorder. Area under the curve=0.741, p<0.001. Sensitivity and specificity at a WC of 103.8 cm2 were 74.5% and 64.7%.

• 

  Fig. 2 ROC (receiver-operating characteristics) curves for cut-off value of waist circumference (WC) associated with increase in obesity-related disorder. (A) In men: Area under the curve=0.911, p<0.005. Sensitivity and specificity at a WC of 89.8 cm were 84.7% and 91.7%. (B) In women: Area under the curve=0.739, p<0.001. Sensitivity and specificity at a WC of 86.1 cm were 83.6% and 62.9%.

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