Index of cardiometabolic risk based on waist circumference (WHT.5R) and metabolic profile in Polish sedentary male and female students

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the potential of WHT.5R to determine metabolic risk in Polish college students of both sexes. Material and methods: In all volunteers, body weight, body height, and waist circumference were measured and a waist-to-height ratio 0.5 (WHT.5R) was calculated. Of all volunteers, only those with WHT.5R ≤ 0.726 were included in further procedures (132 males, 162 females). Circulating glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were determined. Plasma concentrations of non-HDL-cholesterol and HOMA-IR were calculated. Results: In the male group, there was a significantly higher percentage of participants with disturbed lipid profiles, with 20.4% and 28.0% for TC and non-HDL-C, respectively compared to females (13.0% and 9.9%, respectively). No sex-related differences were noted in the percentage of participants with disturbed circulating HDL-C, glucose, and HOMA-IR. Pronounced metabolic disturbances were noted despite WHT.5R values that did not exceed the established cut-off. Conclusions: In the study population, WHT.5R turned out not to be a reliable index of metabolic disturbances and health risks. However, WHT5.R showed sex-related differences in metabolic profile and confirmed lower metabolic risk in female compared to male students.