Appropriate cut-off level of BMI for screening in Thai adults.

OBJECTIVE

A cut-off level of Body Mass Index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors is controversial for its appropriateness in Asians. The present study aimed to determine the appropriate BMI cut-off level for Thai Adults.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

127 out of 387 teachers of at least 35 years of age from Phuket participated in the present study. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, and had physical examination and blood drawn for lipid profile.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, participants with BMI > or = 23 kg/m2 were 2.7 (95% CI; 1.2, 61), 5.4 (2.3, 12.6), 5.1 (1.5, 16.0), and 7.2 (1.5, 34.1) times more likely to have total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl, high-density-lipoprotein < 40 mg/dl, low-density-lipoprotein > or = 160 mg/dl, and total cholesterol to HDL ratio > 5.0, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

For screening/education program, the BMI of 23 kg/m2 may be an appropriate cut-off level for being overweight. To support this finding, further studies in other regions and other populations of Thailand are needed.