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16 December 2005
Professor Mike Lean of the University of Glasgow's Department of Human Nutrition has co-authored a paper revealing that in future your chances of cardiovascular disease could be assessed by the size of your trousers.
A study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, in collaboration with the British Dietetic Association, looked at 200 men and 160 women taking part in a larger research project in Glasgow. Detailed measurements were taken of waist circumference, and weight and height to calculate body mass index (BMI). In addition, blood pressure was measured and health status data were obtained relating to ischaemic heart disease and diabetes.
The BMI score is the standard marker for describing obesity in populations, but in clinical practice, a more accurate method for predicting cardiovascular risk is by waist circumference measurement. High waist fat values (apple shaped people) consistently relate to all components of metabolic syndrome (hypertension, insulin resistance and altered blood lipids). From this data, action levels relating to disease risk have been agreed: action level 1 (94cm in men, 80cm in women) indicates some risk; action level 2 (102cm in men, 88cm in women) indicates significantly increased risk.
It is no surprise that the researchers found a strong link between clothing size and both BMI and waist circumference. But through mathematical modelling, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the action level 1 cut offs were UK waist size 34 trousers for men and a UK dress size of 14 for women. Action level 2 cut offs were size 36 trousers for men and a dress size of 16 for women.
Further analysis supported the pattern of measured or documented increased cardiovascular risks with larger wardrobe. Trousers over waist size 38 in men indicated a nearly four-fold chance, and women with a dress size above 18 had a seven-fold chance of having at least one of the main cardiovascular risk factors.
People may not always be sure of their weight, or be unwilling to reveal this, but only about 2% of the people in the study were wrong about their garment size. Providing there is clothing industry consistency with dress and trouser size specifications, clothing cut offs could be the new way to support meaningful public understanding of when the risks of being fat need action.
For further information contact Kate Richardson, Press Office, University of Glasgow ()
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