Optimal cut‐off point of waist circumference for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in Japanese subjects

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been redefined by a new criterion in Japan, in which waist circumference cut‐off points, that is 85 cm for men and 90 cm for women, are used; however, objections are rising against this criterion. The present study examined the criterion for waist circumference to predict the accumulation of the components of MetS. In the present study, we used data for 5972 Japanese people who received annual health examinations, and 621 men (16.3%) and 51 women (2.4%) were diagnosed as having MetS. A cut‐off point as a predictor for two or more components of MetS was evaluated by the sensitivity/specificity and a receiver operating characteristic analysis. The optimal point of waist circumference was estimated as being approximately 84 cm for men and 80 cm for women. We therefore recommend revising the cut‐off value for the criterion of MetS in women according to our results and studies from other investigators. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00020.x, 2010)