Because it is well known that the relationship between waist circumference and intra-abdominal (visceral) adiposity is influenced by ethnicity and because there is a lack of data on Asian populations, this study sought to determine the optimal cutoff values for waist circumference and intra-abdominal fat related to the risk of the metabolic syndrome. For that purpose, intra-abdominal fat was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in 525 men and 615 women 35 to 75 years of age. The optimal intra-abdominal fat cutoff value for identifying the metabolic syndrome was close to 80 cm2 for both men and women. However, when examined on the basis of age subgroups, cutoff values were 65 cm2 (using the International Diabetes Federation clinical criteria) or 70 cm2 (using the Chinese Diabetes Society clinical criteria) for women <50 years and 90 cm2 for women ≥50 years. In men, the cutoff value was not affected by age. The corresponding cutoff values for waist circumference were 90 cm in men, 80 cm for women aged <50 years, and 85 cm for women aged ≥50 years (all women irrespective of age: 85 cm). Based on these results, the cutoff values for waist circumference in the Chinese population proposed by the International Diabetes Federation should be revised.
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