Anthropometric indices and their cut-off points in relation to type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants and non-migrants: The RODAM study

Abstract Aims To compare body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) as determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and determine optimal cut-offs in a sub-Saharan African population. Methods Data from the RODAM study including Ghanaians aged 25-70 living in rural Ghana, urban Ghana and Europe were used. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between BMI, WC, WHR and T2DM status, by sex and site. Area under the curve (AUC) were constructed to discriminate between indices and establish performance and cut-off values. Results WHR had the strongest association with T2DM in men and women across sites, except for rural men. The highest adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and AUC were in rural women for WHR (aOR=2.09, 95%CI=1.47-2.99; AUC=0.71). Among migrants, WHR had higher AUCs compared with BMI (p Conclusions WHR outperformed BMI and WC as anthropometric indices in relation to T2DM among Ghanaian migrants. The lower BMI and WC cut-offs for T2DM than WHO established standards, highlights the need for African specific cut-offs to avoid missing high risk populations.