Mixed
Optimal BMI and waist circumference thresholds for identifying cardiometabolic risk are higher in African-American women compared to white women, whereas thresholds are similar between white and African-American men.
If you are an African-American woman, standard BMI and waist circumference cutoffs for obesity and high risk may underestimate your actual cardiometabolic risk. This study suggests your optimal thresholds for identifying risk are approximately 3 kg/m2 higher for BMI and 5 cm higher for waist circumference compared to white women. For men, regardless of ethnicity, standard thresholds appear adequate. Consult a healthcare provider to determine if ethnic-specific thresholds should be used for your screening.
There are no apparent ethnic differences in men; however, in AA women the optimal BMI and WC values are ~3 kg/m2 and 5 cm higher than in white women.
Why this rating
Large sample size (N=6,476), rigorous ROC analysis, and clear statistical significance, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
Ethnic‐Specific BMI and Waist Circumference Thresholds
Peter T. Katzmarzyk et al. · Obesity · 2011
DOI 10.1038/oby.2010.319
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