Waist circumference, BMI, and visceral adipose tissue in white women and women of African descent

Abstract

Although waist circumference (WC) is a marker of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), WC cut-points are based on BMI category. We compared WC-BMI and WC-VAT relationships in blacks and whites. Combining data from five studies, BMI and WC were measured in 1,409 premenopausal women (148 white South Africans, 607 African-Americans, 186 black South Africans, 445 West Africans, 23 black Africans living in United States). In three of five studies, participants had VAT measured by computerized tomography (n = 456). Compared to whites, blacks had higher BMI (29.6 ± 7.6 (mean ± s.d.) vs. 27.6 ± 6.6 kg/m², P = 0.001), similar WC (92 ± 16 vs. 90 ± 15 cm, P = 0.27) and lower VAT (64 ± 42 vs. 101 ± 59 cm², P < 0.001). The WC-BMI relationship did not differ by race (blacks: β (s.e.) WC = 0.42 (.01), whites: β (s.e.) WC = 0.40 (0.01), P = 0.73). The WC-VAT relationship was different in blacks and whites (blacks: β (s.e.) WC = 1.38 (0.11), whites: β (s.e.) WC = 3.18 (0.21), P < 0.001). Whites had a greater increase in VAT per unit increase in WC. WC-BMI and WC-VAT relationships did not differ among black populations. As WC-BMI relationship did not differ by race, the same BMI-based WC guidelines may be appropriate for black and white women. However, if WC is defined by VAT, race-specific WC thresholds are required.

Figure 1

BMI vs. waist circumference: scatter plots and linear regression line for each group. Equations for white South Africans: BMI = −7.9 + 0.39 WC; African Americans: BMI = −10.4 + 0.44 WC; black South Africans: BMI = −5.7 + 0.40 WC; West Africans: BMI = −5.0 + 0.37 WC; black Africans in United States: BMI = −6.0 + 0.38 WC. WC, waist circumference.

Figure 2

Visceral adipose tissue vs. waist circumference: scatter plots and linear regression line for each group. Equations for white South Africans: VAT = −185 + 3.18 WC; African Americans: VAT = −111 + 1.65 WC; black South Africans: VAT = −50 + 1.38 WC; black Africans in United States: VAT = −115 + 1.88 WC. VAT, visceral adipose tissue; WC, waist circumference.