Background/Aims Cardiovascular disease risk is increased in individuals with various anthropometric measurements and indices. This study estimated linear trends of cardiovascular disease risk and its association with selected anthropometric measurements. Methods: Bi-annual data from 2007-16 (n=26 201) was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cardiovascular disease risk in this study was assessed as total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio. We used the multiple linear regression analysis procedures to estimate anthropometric variables that best predict cardiovascular disease risk. Results The mean total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio for the studied population was 4.0 (95% confidence interval: 3.8-4.2). There was a decrease of 0.05 in mean cardiovascular disease risk bi-annually from 4.1 in 2007-8 to 3.9 in 2015-16 (t=-3.27; P=0.0467). The percentage with desirable cardiovascular disease risk decreased by 0.07 bi-annually from 0.42% in 2007-8 to 0.1% in 2015-16 (P=0.0689). Borderline risk increased by 0.8 bi-annually from 90.7% in 2007-8 to 93.8% in 2015-16 (P=0.1176). High cardiovascular disease risk decreased by 0.7 from 8.9% in 2007-8 to 6.2% in 2015-16 (t=-1.95; P=0.1464). Cardiovascular disease risk was consistently higher in males than females for all the cohorts (P<0.0001). The risk was high among the 30-69 years age group but declined after the age of 70 years. Overall, waist circumference, weight and the waist circumference*weight interaction term, adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, significantly helped to predict cardiovascular disease risk (P<0.0001). Conclusions The majority of the studied population had either borderline or high risk for cardiovascular diseases based on the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio. The study findings suggest the need to intensify existing primary prevention efforts to minimise risk and avert cardiovascular disease progression.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Markers of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Subjects with High Waist Circumference
