One of approaches to the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MS) is the detection and characterization of obesity, but there is no consensus on which of the anthropometric indices of obesity is the best tool for diagnosing metabolic disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of anthropometric surrogate indices in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and its components in middle-aged men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A representative sample of boys (Moscow school students) born in 1971—1972 was formed. After 32 years (the 7^th visit), only 301 (30%) representatives of the baseline population sample were able to be surveyed out of 1005 participants. The mean age of examined men was 42.9 years. Body mass index (BMI), body fat mass percentage, fat mass index (FMI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), lipid accumulation product index (LAPI), triglyceride-glucose index (TGI) and its derivative of TGI-waist circumference (TGI-WC) were calculated.

RESULTS

The frequency of MS detection was directly dependent on the value of anthropometric indices. Mean values of BMI, WC, VAI, FMI, LAPI, TGI-WC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), as well as levels of total cholesterol (CS), low-density lipoprotein CS, triglycerides, glucose and C-reactive protein were significantly higher, and levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) CS were lower in men with MS compared to those without MS. Abdominal obesity, elevated BP, hypertriglyceremia, hyperglycemia, and decreased level of HDL-CS have been observed more often in men with MS than in men without MS.

CONCLUSION

The visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation product index have been the most effective anthropometric surrogate indices in the identification of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged men. Thus, anthropometric surrogate indices can be valuable tools for metabolic syndrome identification.