Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine cut-off points for visceral fat area (VFA) and waist circumference (WC) in Japanese men and women, by studying a relationship between VFA and plasma adiponectin density.
Subjects and Methods: Our study population consisted of 8,470 men (47.3 ± 8.2 years) and 1,626 women (47.5 ± 4.7 years), who underwent a medical examination at TOYOTA Health Support Center WELPO. Using receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve analysis, we determined the optimal cut-off points for VFA and WC - those fulfilling the presence of 2 or 3 factors from among hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, which are related to metabolic syndrome (MetS). In addition, the gender-specific WC cut-off point equivalent to the VFA cut-off point, was determined using simple regression analysis between VFA and WC. Subjects were divided into groups according to VFA in 20 cm2 intervals, and the mean density of plasma adiponectin was compared among them.
Results: ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off points for VFA and WC were 76.3 cm2 & 84.2 cm in men and 47.3 cm2 & 80.5cm in women, respectively. By regression analysis, WC values corresponding to the VFA cut-off point were 85.2cm in men and 80.1cm in women. In WC groups over 60-80 cm2 in men and over 40-60 cm2 over in women, there was no significant difference in the relationship between VFA and the mean density of plasma adiponectin. This result suggests that there would be a lower limit of adiponectin secretion for higher values of VFA.
Conclusion: It would be advisable to review the Japanese waist circumference criteria for MetS, especially in women.
