Optimal cutoff values of fat mass index,body fat percentage and visceral fat area for identifying metabolic syndrome in the Kurdish population: Results from an Iranian RaNCD cohort study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Obesity and high body fat are related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in all ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE:

The present study aimed to determine optimal cutoff points for the Fat Mass Index (FMI), Body Fat Percentage (BF%), and Visceral Fat Area (VFA) in the prediction of MetS.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study was performed on 10063 individuals aged from 35–65 years, recruited in Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort. The anthropometric indices were measured using an appropriate validated methods and body composition was measured using Bio-Impedance Analyzer (Inbody 770, Inbody Co, Seoul, Korea). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to compare the predictive validity and determine optimal cutoff values.

RESULTS:

The optimal cutoff points for FMI, BF% and VFA were 7.2 kg/m², 26.7 and 91.6 cm² respectively in men for the prediction of MetS, but they were 11.3 kg/m², 39.8 and 139.1cm² respectively in women. Cutoff points were lower in rural populations than urban populations. In men and women with FMIs of higher than the optimal cutoff point, the risk of MetS was respectively 4.01 and 1.85 times higher than those with FMIs of lower than the cutoff point. In men and women with BF% of higher than the optimal cutoff point, the risk was respectively 3.62 and 1.70 times higher than those with BF% of lower than the cutoff point.

CONCLUSION:

The present study revealed that the FMI, BF%, and VFA indices were appropriate predictors of risk of MetS. The diagnostic power of the indicators was better in men and villagers.