Assessing metabolic syndrome prediction quality using seven anthropometric indices among Jordanian adults: a cross-sectional study

Metabolic syndrome (MSyn) is a considerable health concern in developing and developed countries, and it is a critical predictor of all-cause mortality. Obesity, specifically central obesity, is highly associated with MSyn incidence and development. In this study, seven anthropometric indices (Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Body Roundness Index (BRI), conicity index (CI), and the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)) were used to identify individuals with MSyn among the Jordanian population. These indices were assessed to identify their superiority in predicting the risk of MSyn. A total of 756 subjects (410 were male and 346 were female) were met between May 2018 and September 2019 and enrolled in this study. Height, weight, and waist circumferences were measured and BMI, WHtR, ABSI, BRI, CI, and VAI were calculated. Fasting plasma glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure were measured. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the discriminatory power of the anthropometric indices as classifiers for MSyn presence using the Third Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition. MSyn prevalence was 42.5%, and obese women and men have a significantly higher prevalence. BRI and WHtR showed the highest ability to predict MSyn (AUC = 0.83 for both indices). The optimal cutoff point for an early diagnosis of MSyn was > 28.4 kg/m2 for BMI, > 98.5 cm for WC, > 5.13 for BRI, > 0.09 m11/6 kg−2/3 for ABSI, > 5.55 cm2 for AVI, > 1.33 m3/2 kg−1/2 for CI, and > 0.59 for WHtR with males having higher cutoff points for MSyn early detection than females. In conclusion, we found that WHtR and BRI may be the best-suggested indices for MSyn prediction among Jordanian adults. These indices are affordable and might result in better early detection for MSyn and thereby may be helpful in the prevention of MSyn and its complications.