• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.425-431
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• 2016

The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), calculated by dividing the waist circumference (WC) by height, has recently gained attention as an anthropometric index for central adiposity. It is an easy-to-use and less age-dependent index to identify individuals with increased cardiometabolic risk. A WHtR cutoff of 0.5 can be used in different sex and ethnic groups and is generally accepted as a universal cutoff for central obesity in children (aged ${\geq}6$ years) and adults. However, the WHtR has not been validated in preschool children, and the routine use of WHtR in children under age 6 is not recommended. Prospective studies and meta-analysis in adults revealed that the WHtR is equivalent to or slightly better than WC and superior to body mass index (BMI) in predicting higher cardiometabolic risk. In children and adolescents, studies have shown that the WHtR is similar to both BMI and WC in identifying those at an increased cardiometabolic risk. Additional use of WHtR with BMI or WC may be helpful because WHtR considers both height and central obesity. WHtR may be preferred because of its simplicity and because it does not require sex- and age-dependent cutoffs; additionally, the simple message 'keep your WC to less than half your height' may be particularly useful. This review article summarizes recent publications on the usefulness of using WHtR especially when compared to BMI and WC as a screening tool for obesity and related cardiometabolic risks, and recommends the use of WHtR in clinical practice for obesity screening in children and adolescents.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.527-533
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) corresponding to body mass index (BMI) of $25kg/m^2$ and to survey the prevalence of hypertension according to obesity in female college students. Method: Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured for each of 286 female college students in J City, Chungbuk. Results: The subjects' mean BMI was $21.4kg/m^2$, and the estimated prevalence of obesity was 11.2%. The subjects, the 80th-90th percentile of whom had BMI exceeding $25kg/m^2$, were found to have WC of 75-78.1 cm and WHR of 0.79-0.80, respectively. Of the subjects with obesity($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$), 53.1% exhibited abdominal obesity ($WC{\geq}80cm$) and 40.6% had WHR over 0.80. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were correlated with BMI, WC, and WHR. The prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with obesity($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$) was 25%. Additionally, the prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with abdominal obesity ($WC{\geq}80cm$) was 39.1%. Conclusions: Our study indicates that WC corresponding to BMI of $25kg/m^2$ in female subjects in their twenties is different from that of adult women. We also found that the prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with abdominal obesity was high. Therefore. we suggest further studies to determine the cutoff value of WC for evaluating abdominal obesity and to investigate the long-term effects of obesity on women in their twenties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.230-243
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyse the body sizes of $7{\sim}12$ years elementary school girls and also to categorize KS size dimensions by the detailed information of ages and body shapes. For the study, the data of SizeKorea(2004) was analysed. Height, bust, waist, hip, the ratio of waist to height and hip to height were significant between age groups, but the ratio of bust to height was not. Therefore, the increase of bust size was resulted in growth of bust circumference, instead of bust volume. In the same height group, over 11 year girls had smaller waist, while over 12 year girls had bigger hip. For Grouping girls by ages and body shapes, the ages were divided into 2 groups, under 10 years old and 11 to 12 years old. The body shapes classified into 3 groups 'Stout-shape', 'Middle-shape', and 'slim-shape', by the ratios of bust to height and hip to height. 'Stout-shape' was significantly big at the almost sizes, but 'Middle-shape' was significantly big at only circumferences, not lengths. In addition, drop(the difference between bust and hip) and lower-drop(the difference between waist and hip) were in inverse proportion to the ratios of bust to height and hip to height. It meant the increases of bust-ratio and hip-ratio of 'Stout-shape' were resulted in overweight, rather than female matureness. The distribution of sizes over 0.5% were grouped for grading system and the subtotal percentiles of each group were calculated for industrial data. The groups which covered more than 10% of consumers were 2 to 6 and the 1 or 2 groups for 'Stout-shape' were also observed, so that children's ready-to wear companies could use them efficiently for their own consumer target.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

Purpose: Liver metabolism plays a pivotal role in the development of metabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in young adolescents from an urban population in Korea. Methods: A population of 120 apparently healthy adolescents aged 12-13 years was included in the cross-sectional design study; 58 were overweight or obese and 62 were of normal weight. We estimated anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, aspartate aminotransferases (AST), ALT, and lipid profiles. Results: The mean ages of the overweight or obese and normal weight participants were $12.9{\pm}0.3$ and $13.0{\pm}0.3years$, respectively. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score were significantly higher and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were significantly lower in the overweight/obese participants in comparison to the normal-weight participants (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR score were independently and positively associated with serum ALT levels. Conclusion: Screening for ALT levels in adolescents may help to differentiate those at risk of metabolic abnormalities and thus prevent disease progression at an early age.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.36-43
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• 2021

[Purpose] Exercise is a key factor in preventing obesity and metabolic syndrome. Sumo wrestlers increase their body size from childhood for athletic advantage; however, the risk of metabolic syndrome in junior sumo wrestlers is undetermined. Preventive measures against pediatric obesity should be initiated during childhood to prevent obesity in adulthood, considering its high global incidence. We comparatively evaluated the risk factors for metabolic syndrome in junior sumo wrestlers and children with obesity. [Methods] We enrolled 70 male children (age 9-17 years [sumo group, n = 14] and 9-14 years [other sports and non-exercise groups, n = 28 each]) and evaluated their anthropometric parameters (height, weight, body mass index z-score, obesity rate, waist circumference, waist to height ratio) and hematological parameters (total, low-density, high-density, and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; triglycerides; plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels). [Results] The BMI z-score, obesity rate, waist circumference (p < 0.05, along with the non-exercise group), and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher and the high-density cholesterol level was lower in the sumo group than in the other sports group (p < 0.05). The waist to height ratio was significantly higher in the non-exercise group than in the other sports group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in other blood lipid, plasma glucose (significantly lower level than the reference range in the sumo group, p < 0.05), and glycated hemoglobin (within the reference range in all groups) levels among the three groups. [Conclusion] Junior sumo wrestlers had a larger body size and higher blood pressure than children with obesity who exercised regularly. This provides direction for future research into targeted preventive interventions against metabolic syndrome for junior sumo wrestlers with large body size.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.982-996
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• 2010

This study classified the body shapes of Korean obese women and investigated the differences of each body shape, using 2004 Size Korea data. For selecting the obesity sample, 7 obesity judgment indices were chosen through previous clothing-related studies. A total of 636 females defined as "obese" by 5 out of 7 indices were selected as subjects and 54 body measurements and obesity judgment indices were used in this study. Firstly, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values of each measurement and item were obtained from the descriptive analysis of 53 measurements. According to the descriptive analysis, all measurements and obesity judgment indices of the subjects demonstrated a serious obesity level shown by BMI 27.11, R$\ddot{o}$hrer index 1.76, Vervaeck index 104.77, Relative weight 133.00, WHR 0.90, and waist circumference 86.71cm. In addition, the measurements and indices showed considerable differences between minimum and maximum values. Significant differences were identified in all measurements and items at a significant level, p=.001. Each distribution of body types according to age, stature, bust, and waist circumference groups was provided in this study. Secondly, factor analyses were conducted using 38 measurement items to extract the body characteristics of obese women. Factor 1 was "circumference measurements & obesity judgment indices," Factor 2 was "heights & arm-related lengths," and Factor 3 was "size and ratio of waist circumference & hip circumference." Factor 4 was "lengths in upper body," Factor 5 was "back width in upper body," Factor 6 was "side neck point to bust & bust circumference," Factor 7 was "length in lower body & arm circumferences" and Factor 8 was "neck base circumference & front width in upper body." These 8 factors explained 76.54% of the total variance. Finally, 5 body types were selected in the cluster analysis. Type 1 (with big back widths & arm circumferences) was 15.5% of the entire subjects, Type 2 (the shortest and fattest, with big upper body) was 18.8%, Type 3 (with big breast) was 27.8%, Type 4 (the tallest and longest in arm lengths, with the smallest arm circumferences and lengths in torso) was 22.5%, and Type 5 (with big hips compared to waist circumferences, smaller height and upper body) was 15.5%. Fundamental differences were identified in all measurements and items at the significant level of p=.001. In addition, each distribution of body type according to age, height, bust, and waist circumference groups was provided in this study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.1005-1010
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• 2014

Background: A relation between abdominal obesity and colorectal tumor development has been reported repeatedly, and is believed to be more remarkable in man than in women. However, the details vary depending on scientific reports. This may be due at least partly to the selected surface anthropometric index in addition to the influence of gender and ethnic groups. To cope with this, we considered a new index of abdominal obesity and evaluated its risk prediction potential. Materials and Methods: Six hundred ninety five Japanese (262 women and 433 men) who had a colonoscopy were studied. The new index was named as waist circumference to height index (WHI) and was calculated by the formula of waist circumference (cm)/height (m)/height (m). Biochemical and lifestyle factors were investigated preceding the colonoscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows. Results: Increase of WHI was associated with altered metabolism of carbohydrate and lipid in both women and men. WHI was positively related with the development of colon tumor of women, while not with that of men. Logistic regression analysis performed for stratified age groups (45-54, 55-64 and 65-74 years) showed that WHI significantly increased odds ratio to 1.31 (CI 1.05-1.64 p=0.01) in women of 55-65 years. In contrast, in men this index WHI reduced the odds ratio insignificantly, while low density lipoprotein and triglyceride significantly increased the odds ratio to 1.01 (CI 1.00-1.03 p=0.02) in the 55-65 year group and to 1.02 (CI 1.00-1.03 p=0.02) in the 45-55 year group. Conclusions: In Japanese the risk factors for colon tumor development are different between women and men. WHI is a simple and efficient predictor of colon tumor risk in Japanese women and may be used to select those who should have colonoscopy.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2004

This analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between nutrition and anthropometric indices using the data from a cross-sectional survey of a large national sample, '98 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey. Subjects were selected by stratified multistage probability sampling design and completed dietary questionnares including food intakes for one day by 24-hour recall method. For this analysis, 6566 subjects were selected by age(over 20 years old). For anthropometry, height, weight, and waist- and hip- circumference were measured. They were classified by body mass index(BMI, weight(Kg)/$height^2 $($m^2 $)) and waist-hip ratio(WHR, waist circumference(Cm)/hip circumference(Cm)). The nutrients intake of subjects were compared with the recommended daily allowances(RDA). Mean adequacy ratio(MAR) was calculated. Mean heights, weights, BMIs were higher in the groups with nutrient intake over 125% of RDA than the lower intake groups for most nutrients. However, Mean WHR was the highest in the groups with nutrient intake under 75% of RDA for most nutrients excluding iron intake of women aged 20-64 years. Among women aged 20-64 years, means of MAR were 0.71 for obese individuals(BMI>30), 0.72 for subjects with underweight(BMI<18.5), and 0.76 for subjects with normal weight(18.5$\leq$BMI<25). Normal subjects has statistically significantly higher MAR than those of other groups. However, among elderly people aged over 65 years, obese group had the highest MAR, 0.68. Women with abdominal obesity(WHR>0.9) had lower MAR, 0.71 than those with normal weight(MAR=0.76). From these results, obesity and abdominal obesity seems to be the results of malnutrition including both undernutrition and overnutrition rather than simple problem of excess energy intake. Obesity in elderly people needs to be handled differently from adults.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2016

Objectives The waist circumference has been known as an obesity index reflecting the visceral fat. This study was conducted to investigate the obesity index of what can be predicted visceral fat obesity. Methods 121 test subjects who have $BMI{\geq}30$ or BMI 27~29.9 with having more than one high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were gathered in the Gachon University Korean medical hospital. The relationship between obesity index, the abdominal fat area, and the metabolic syndrome component analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The obesity indices, that are largely used in clinics such as waist circumference (WC), HC (hip circumference), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-height ratio (WHtR). Total fat area (TFA), visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous area (SFA) and visceral fat/subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) that was measured from CT. Results 1. Total fat area (TFA) was positively correlated WC, BMI, HC. 2. The subcutaneous fat area (SFA) was positively correlated HC, WC, BMI. 3. The visceral fat area (VFA) did not show a strong correlation with obesity indicators. Conclusions It was found indices of obesity and visceral fat area is a high correlation. BMI, WC was the obesity index showed a high correlation as the SFA, TFA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2019

This study provides basic information for the convenient size selection of shirts in the online purchasing environment. The preferred shirt fit was compared according to body size group. The subjects were 111 students majoring in clothing. After setting a virtual model with her own body sizes, subjects chose the best preferred fit among four sizes shirts which included the shirt suitable to her bust circumference, one size smaller shirt, one size larger shirt, and a two size larger shirt. They generally preferred the original size, but the preferred shirt fit was different by the body characteristics such as stature, waist height, or the ratio of Biacromion and drop. Shirt length was affected by stature and sleeve length was affected by waist height. The shoulder ease was mostly affected by the ratio of the shoulder length. Waist fit and hip fit were influenced by waist and hip. Therefore, the body parts affecting the preferred fit of each shirt part were different and the effect of body shape was stronger than body size.