Conicity index: an anthropometric indicator of abdominal obesity

Abstract

The Brazil, as well as the world, is in a transition process, with changes in the nutritional, epidemiological and lifestyle profiles. At the same time, a progressive increase in life expectancy and the growth of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been observed in recent decades. Among them are cardiovascular diseases whose main risk factor is obesity. In this scenario, anthropometric indicators are essential for the early identification of obesity, especially obesity accumulated in the abdominal region. The conicity index is one of the recommended tools for identifying the distribution of body fat, as it is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic complications in the population, especially in individuals with NCDs. Therefore, the use of the anthropometric indicator as a screening tool both in primary care and in epidemiological studies is recommended for the early identification of abdominal obesity.