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Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between anthropometric variables and cardio-metabolic risk factors in a population of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A total of 1,405 (1,158 rural and 247 urban) Kenyans were examined. Anthropometric measurements were carried out, such as weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT). Visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were derived. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin (SI) and plasma lipids were taken. A 2-h oral glucose tolerance test was performed; homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA -IR) was calculated and blood pressure (BP) was measured. Dietary intake, physical activity energy expenditure, cardio-respiratory fitness and socio-demographic characteristics were measured. Linear regression analyses were carried out. Urban Kenyans had significantly higher anthropometric features and presented higher cardiometabolic risk factors. In rural Kenyans, anthropometrics were significantly correlated to all cardio-metabolic risk indicators (p<0.05), except plasma HDL-C level, FBG and SI in women. WHR was the best anthropometric variable to predict cardio-metabolic risk. In urban Kenyans, anthropometrics were not significantly associated with cardio-metabolic indicators except for SI and systolic BP in men. In urban women, the correlation only remained significant between WC and plasma lipids, VSR and FBG, SAT and systolic BP. Anthropometrics were significantly correlated to cardio-metabolic risk factors among rural but not urban Kenyans. Further investigations are needed in order to elucidate the role of environmental factors and urbanization when it comes to the correlation between anthropometric variables and cardio-metabolic risk factors in SSA populations.

Biography

Email: trempe@umontreal.ca