Traditional Measures Miss Obesity in Women With Lupus

[Guest guest]

Obese women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be misclassified by

anthropometric measures. Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be used to

adjust the traditional guidelines to improve diagnostic accuracy, according

to a study published in the February issue of *Arthritis Care & Research*.

Katz, Ph.D., from the University of California in San Francisco,

collected data on DXA, height, weight, and waist and hip circumference from

145 women with SLE. DXA-based obesity data was compared to three obesity

measurement cut-off points: body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m²; waist

circumference ≥88 cm; and waist-to-hip ratio ≥0.85. An optimal cut point was

determined for each measure relative to DXA. Cardiovascular risk was

assessed based on the obesity measurements.

The investigators found that according to DXA, 50 percent of the women were

obese, but these numbers dropped to 28 percent using waist circumference, 29

percent using BMI, and 41 percent using waist-to-hip ratio. The women

misclassified based on anthropometric criteria had less fat on their trunk

and extra appendicular lean and fat mass. The revised guidelines, adjusted

to match the DXA, were BMI ≥26.8 kg/m²; waist circumference ≥84.75 cm; and

waist-to-hip ratio ≥0.80. Increased cardiovascular risk was noted using both

criteria of obesity measurements.

" Our results suggest that cardiovascular risk of women who meet the revised

obesity criterion is equivalent to that of women who meet traditional

anthropometric obesity criteria, and that the traditional criteria may

underestimate obesity-related cardiovascular risk, " the authors write.

Abstract <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.20343/abstract>

Full Text (subscription or payment may be

required)<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acr.20343/full>

--

Ortiz, MS, RD

*The FRUGAL Dietitian* <http://www.thefrugaldietitian.com>

Check out my blog: mixture of deals and nutrition

Check your own local deals <http://thefrugaldietitian.com/?p=14288>

*Healthy Diet at any Age: We are NOT just looking

*

*at the years people have behind them but also the

*

*quality of the years ahead of them.*