Age‐ and Sex‐Specific Optimal Cutoffs for Obesity Indices for Early Detection of Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Taiwanese Adults

ABSTRACT

Age‐ and sex‐specific obesity index cutoffs may improve the early identification of individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome. This study determined optimal cutoff points for body mass index (BMI), triglyceride glucose index (TyGI) and Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) to predict MetS risk in Taiwanese adults. This retrospective study using the Mei Jau Health Database, spanning 2008 to 2013, included 30 382 adults (76% females) aged 18 years or older. Subjects free of metabolic syndrome in 2008 had additional data recorded from 2009 to 2013. Approximately 8.5% developed MetS after baseline (2008). Significant differences in BMI, TyGI and CVAI between sexes ( p  < 0.001) were observed, with females exhibiting lower values than males. The optimal cutoff values for obesity‐related indices were determined, stratified by age groups (≤ 29, 30–39, 40–49, ≥ 50) and sex. BMI cutoffs: 22.14–23.14 (females), 23.54–24.94 (males); TyG: 4.44–4.63 (females), 4.55–4.69 (males); CVAI: 10.70–77.11 (females), 67.02–82.23 (males). Most of these age‐ and sex‐specific cutoff values exhibited AUCs and sensitivity values greater than 0.70 and demonstrated acceptable to excellent predictive performance. In summary, CVAI cutoffs showed greater accuracy and sensitivity than BMI and TyGI for identifying MetS risk in Taiwanese adults without baseline MetS.