Optimal Body Fat Percentage Cut-Off Values in Predicting the Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study

BACKGROUND: Reliable obesity assessment is essential in evaluating the risk of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). Non-availability of clearly defined cut-offs for body fat percentage (BF%), as well as a widespread application of surrogate measures for obesity assessment, may result in incorrect prediction of cardio-metabolic risk. PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine optimal cut-off points for BF%, with a view of predicting the CRFs related to obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved 4735 (33.6% of men) individuals, the Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS) participants, aged 45–64. BF% was measured with the aid of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. The gender-specific cut-offs of BF% were found with respect to at least one CRF. A P-value approach, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were pursued for BF% cut-offs, which optimally differentiated normal from the risk groups. The associations between BF% and CRFs were determined by logistic regression models. RESULTS: The cut-offs for BF% were established as 25.8% for men and 37.1% for women. With the exception of dyslipidemia, in men and women whose BF% was above the cut-offs, the odds for developing CRFs ranged 2–4 times higher than those whose BF% was below the cut-offs. CONCLUSION: Controlling BF% below the thresholds indicating an increased health hazard may be instrumental in appreciably reducing overall exposure to developing cardio-metabolic risk.