Abstract
Background: The prevalence of dyslipidemia has been on a continuous rise in recent years in both developing and developed countries. Among all other risk factors, obesity tops them all, placing the individual at risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Anthropometry is an important tool which can be used to screen individuals who are at risk to develop health issues related to obesity.

Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to correlate anthropometric indices such as waist-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body mass index (BMI) with the lipid profile parameters.

Materials and Methods: In a hospital-based cross-sectional study, a total of 306 adult females who attended Kannur Medical College Hospital for executive checkup were included in the study. Demographic data were collected, thorough general physical examination was done and anthropometric measurements were taken according to the standard protocol. Blood samples were taken and lipid profile was done with the help of automatic analyzer.

Results: It was observed that the mean age of the subjects was 47 years (S.D. 10.92), the mean waist circumference (WC) was 85.09 cm+10.53, BMI was 23.35+4.09 kg/m, WHtR was 20.88+0.06, and the mean WHR 0.87 + 0.05. Although all anthropometric indicators had a significant positive correlation with lipid parameters, WHR had the highest correlation coefficient when compared to BMI, WHtR, and WC.

Conclusion: It was concluded that all the anthropometric indices had a positive correlation with lipid profile. However, in our study, it was found that WHR is a better predictor of dyslipidemia and its associated complications than WHtR.

Key words: Anthropometry; Body Mass Index; Waist circumference; Waist-hip Ratio; Waist-to-Height Ratio; Dyslipidemia; Obesity