Visceral Fat Cut-off Points for a Sample of Egyptian Adults

Objective: To determine appropriate visceral fat cut-off values using ultrasound (USVF); for obesity according to existing waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR) and BMI cut-off levels.Methods: 998 Egyptian adults, aged 25- 55 years, were studied in a cross-sectional survey for evaluation of “Visceral and Central Obesity as an Early Estimator for Obesity Health Risk”. Results:  Using WC as standard for classification of  central obesity, cut-off points of USVF were found to be 6.5 cm for men and 5 cm for women; using ROC analysis; with 76 % sensitivity, 83% specificity, 1.06 PPV/NPV, and 81% accuracy for men, and with 77 % sensitivity, 76% specificity, 0.99 PPV/NPV, and 76% accuracy for women. Same cut-off points of USVF were detected using BMI as standard; with 71 % sensitivity, 77% specificity, 1.04 PPV/NPV, and 75% accuracy for men, and 74% sensitivity, 79% specificity, 1.03 PPV/NPV, and 77% accuracy for women. Even by using WHR as standard, these cut-offs increased 0.5 cm only for both men and women (7 and 5.5 cm respectively).Conclusion: The best cut-off points of visceral fat; using US in Egyptian adults; is 6.5 cm for men and 5 cm for women.e