This article discusses the relevance of current body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference thresholds derived from white populations in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Aboriginal populations. To address this issue, the authors compared CVD risk among healthy Canadian Aboriginal (n=195) and European (n=201) participants using current thresholds. They evaluated the relationship of BMI and waist circumference to each of the following three factors: percent body fat, central adiposity (intra-abdominal or visceral fat), and CVD risk factors. They found no difference between Aboriginal and European participants in terms of the ability of current BMI and waist circumference thresholds to identify those at increased CVD risk. Based on these results, the authors conclude that there is no need for specific anthropometric thresholds for Aboriginal populations. They propose that current thresholds should continue to be used as part of regular medical examinations for Aboriginal people in Canada.
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