Does Waist Circumference Measure Up?

Cross-sectional studies suggest that visceral fat, measured by magnetic resonance imaging, is positively related to cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents. To determine whether changes in waist circumference — an indirect measure of central adiposity — predicts longitudinal change in cardiovascular risk factors, investigators analyzed data from 2379 black and white girls (age range, 9–10 years) enrolled in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study in 1987–1988. Girls who had at least two postmenarcheal study visits during the 10 years of follow-up were included in the analysis.

After adjustment for body-mass index (BMI) z score, steeper age-related increases in waist circumference were significant…