Estimation of Novel Anthropometric Measurements among Normoglycemic Persons, Prediabetes, and Diabetes in the Indian Population: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Central obesity is a risk factor for the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and can be measured using various anthropometric measurements. Aim: This study is done to estimate novel anthropometric markers of obesity such as mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), wrist circumference (WrC), waist–height ratio (WHtR), and neck circumference (NC) in healthy individuals, prediabetes, and DM. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 58 normoglycemic healthy volunteers, 59 prediabetics, and 59 diabetics in a tertiary care center from India. Participants were tested for fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. Anthropometric measurements were done. We used partial ordinal regression to look for the association between anthropometric markers and diabetic status. Results: NC, MUAC, WrC, and WHtR were significantly higher in and highest in diabetics compared to controls. They significantly correlated with body mass index. They had significantly higher odds (odd ratio [OR1] NC – 1.60, OR1 WrC – 1.92, OR1 MUAC – 1.45, and OR1 WHtR – 1.33) for control to prediabetes. OR of only WHtR was significant for prediabetes to diabetes (OR2 WHtR– 1.10). Conclusion: Association of novel anthropometric markers was significant for prediabetes compared to controls, but not significant for diabetes compared to prediabetes.