There are a large number of anthropometrics to assess nutrition; however, simplifying the assessment would facilitate broader usage.  To that end, a recent publication suggests that checking triglyceride level and waist circumference is helpful to identify cardiometabolic risk (J Pediatr 2013; 162: 746-52).

This study used a cross-sectional design; anthropometrics, biochemistries, and cardiorespiratory fitness were assessed in 234 participants between 10-19 years of age.

Specific measurements included the following: weight, height, waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), lipid panel, blood pressure, and a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) as assessed by a progressive cycle ergometer tests.  The authors defined a HW or hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype characterized as having a triglyceride ≥110 mg/dL and a waist circumference ≥ 90% for age/sex.

Key findings:

• Participants with the HW phenotype were unlikely to have a high CRF (OR 0.045).  In addition, they had a high likelihood of elevated LDL (OR 4.41), impaired fasting blood glucose (OR 3.37).
• Those with high WHTR were at higher odds for having low HDL (OR 2.57), high diastolic BP (OR 3.21) compared with normal WHTR participants.