Files
Abstract
This study sought to determine which anthropometric measure (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR), or a body shape index (ABSI)) best predicts fatness and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) and how using different fatness measures affect the association between physical activity (PA) and CMR score. Anthropometric measures, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (GE iLunar) measures, PA via accelerometers (NL-1000), and CMR profile from 334 college females were analyzed. WHtR best predicted central (r=.84) and total body fat (r=.80). Body fat measures were weakly to moderately correlated with CMR profile (r of 0 to .59). PAs association with overall CMR ranged from standardized beta coefficient of -0.44 to -0.79. WHtR, WC, and BMI could serve as surrogate measures for body fatness in college females. No single fat measure best predicted all CMR factors. However, the choice of adiposity measure affects the strength of association between PA and CMR.