Customized BMI and waist circumference cut-off values are needed to identify metabolic syndrome among South Koreans according to their Sasang constitutional type

Introduction: This study evaluated whether body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) cut-offs for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS) were different according to Sasang constitutional type. Methods: Data were obtained from 3,117 South Koreans (20-90 years old), and MetS was defined according to the revised NCEP-ATPIII criteria. Age-adjusted BMI and WC cut-offs were calculated according to Sasang constitutional type (Soyangin [SY], Taeeumin [TE], and Soeumin [SE]), sex, and age (men: ${\geq}40$ vs. <40 years, women: ${\geq}50$ vs. <50 years). Results: The prevalences of MetS were 29.9% (<40-year-old men), 35.1% (${\geq}40$-year-old men), 14.8% (<50-year-old women), and 47.7% (${\geq}50$-year-old women). The BMI ($kg/m^2$) and WC (cm) cut-offs for <40-year-old men were 25.9 and 89.9 (SY), 25.5 and 90.5 (TE), and 21.8 and 86.2 (SE). The cut-offs for ${\geq}40$-year-old men were 23.1 and 88.9 (SY), 25.0 and 89.9 (TE), and 22.2 and 87.5 (SE). The BMI and WC cut-offs for <50-year-old women were 22.5 and 81.2 (SY), 25.1 and 83.0 (TE), and 21.5 and 79.8 (SE). The cut-offs for ${\geq}50$-year-old women were 22.2 and 80.5 (SY), and 25.2 and 89.1 (TE), and 21.9 and 80.3 (SE). Conclusions: The BMI and WC cut-offs for identifying MetS varied according to Sasang constitution type.