Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

01 January 2008

Intraobserver and interobserver variability of measuring waist circumference

Judit NadasABCDEF, Zsuzsanna PutzABCDEF, Gabriella KolevB, Sandorne NagyB, Gyorgy JermendyABCDEFG

Med Sci Monit 2008; 14(1): CR15-18 :: ID: 636056

Abstract

Background
The measurement of waist circumference for assessing abdominal obesity has become widely accepted.
Material and Method
To evaluate the reliability of measuring waist circumference, anthropometric parameters were measured in 150 adult patients by two diabetes educators on two consecutive days. The intraobserver difference was defined as the difference in the measurements made by the same educator on different days and the interobserver difference as the difference in the measurements made by the two educators on the same days.
Results
The correlation coefficients (r values) of the measurements were >0.99 for the educators and days. The interobserver difference was statistically significant for waist circumference (96.23 cm vs. 97.08 cm, p<0.0001). Although the %Delta values (percent difference in the two means) for waist circumference proved to be 2.5-6.3 times higher and the% absolute Delta values (percent average difference) 1.5-2.8 times higher than those for body mass index, the absolute values of the differences (Delta, the difference of the two means, and absolute delta, the average difference) were small (waist circumference Delta: 0.17 cm and 0.85 cm, absolute Delta: 1.51 cm and 2.15 cm; body mass index Delta: 0.02 kg/m(2) and 0.04 kg/m(2), absolute Delta: 0.292 kg/m(2) and 0.226 kg/m(2); intraobserver and interobserver differences, respectively).
Conclusions
The intraobserver and interobserver variability for waist circumference were higher than those for body mass index. Nevertheless, the differences in repeated measurements of waist circumference were small when expressed in absolute values. The reliability of waist circumference should be considered in the clinical practice.

Keywords: Waist-Hip Ratio, Obesity - diagnosis, Observer Variation, Body Mass Index, Aged, 80 and over, Anthropometry, Adiposity, Abdominal Fat - pathology

Add Comment 0 Comments

608 11

Editorial

01 June 2023 : Editorial  

Editorial: Infectious Disease Surveillance Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its Role in Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness

Dinah V. Parums
Science Editor, Medical Science Monitor, International Scientific Information, Inc., Melville, NY, USA

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.941209

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e941209

0:00

In Press

07 Jun 2023 : Review article  

Ultrasound-Guided Brachial Plexus Block by Costoclavicular Space Approach: A Narrative Review

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939920  

05 Jun 2023 : Clinical Research  

Comparison of Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging with White Light Imaging in 52 Patients with Short-Segm...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940249  

05 Jun 2023 : Laboratory Research  

Comparison of Composite Resin (Duo-Shade) Shade Guide with Vita Ceramic Shades Before and After Chemical an...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940949  

02 Jun 2023 : Database Analysis  

The COVID-19 Crisis and the Incidence of Alcohol-Related Deaths in Poland

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940904  

Most Viewed Current Articles

13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research  

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788

0:00

30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research  

Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379

08 Mar 2022 : Review article  

A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750