Cutoff values for central obesity in Chinese based on mesenteric fat thickness

Aims: Sonographic measurement of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) is a novel, accurate and simple tool to evaluate regional distribution of obesity. We used MFT to determine the optimal waist circumference (WC) values and associated risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: 282 healthy Chinese (age 41.8 +/- 7.4 years, BMI 23.8 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2)) was assessed. High MFT was defined as mean + 1 SD of the cohort. We compared the CVD risks including fatty liver amongst subjects with normal waist, central pre-obesity and central obesity. Results: WC of 84.6 cm in men and 75.7 cm in women were the optimal cutoff values to predict high MFT with ROC analysis. Using WC cutoff values >= 85-90 cm and >= 90 cm to define central pre-obesity and obesity in men ( >= 75-80 cm and >= 80 cm in women), both central obesity and pre-obesity had higher MFT and CVD risk than those with normal waist. The frequencies of fatty liver in these 3 categories were 15.9%, 56.7% and 96.7% in men and 6.9%.17.9% and 63.2% in women (p < 0.001 for trend). Conclusion: In addition to central obesity, "central pre-obesity" identifies subjects who harbor high CVD risks, fatty liver and excess visceral fat. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.