CORRELATION BETWEEN WAIST-HIP RATIO AND BASELINE METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN YOUNG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM BIHAR, INDIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Waist-hip ratio, metabolic parameters, young adults, central obesity, Bihar
Abstract
Background: Central obesity, measured by waist-hip ratio (WHR), is emerging as a critical predictor of metabolic dysfunction in young adults, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions of India. Bihar faces unique challenges with lifestyle transitions affecting metabolic health in younger populations.
Objectives: To determine the correlation between WHR and baseline metabolic parameters including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure among young adults aged 18-35 years in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar.
Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, from May 2025 to October 2025. Using systematic random sampling, 384 young adults were enrolled. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles were assessed. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 26.0.
Results: Mean WHR was 0.87±0.08 in males and 0.82±0.07 in females. Significant positive correlations were found between WHR and fasting blood glucose (r=0.64, p<0.001), total cholesterol (r=0.58, p<0.001), triglycerides (r=0.71, p<0.001), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.53, p<0.001), and systolic blood pressure (r=0.62, p<0.001). WHR showed negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol (r=-0.48, p<0.001). Participants with WHR >0.90 (men) and >0.85 (women) had 3.8 times higher odds of metabolic abnormalities.
Conclusion: WHR demonstrates strong correlation with metabolic parameters in young adults, establishing it as a valuable screening tool for early metabolic risk identification in resource-limited settings of Bihar.
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Dr. Afreen Imran Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr. Imran Khan Shamiullah Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr. Alok Pritam
Assistant Professor Cum Statistician, Department of Community Medicine, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
Dr. K B Sourabh4
Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Radha Devi Jageshwari Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
