Obesity: waist circumference cut-off: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Obesity: waist circumference cut-off

Sample item

An Indian woman aged 38 has a BMI of 22 and a waist circumference of 84 cm. By the South Asian criteria used for the metabolic syndrome, which waist circumference defines abdominal obesity in women?

A88 cm or moreB102 cm or moreC94 cm or moreD80 cm or more

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. 80 cm or more

For South Asians the International Diabetes Federation uses 90 cm or more in men and 80 cm or more in women. Western cut-offs of 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women underestimate risk in South Asians. This woman therefore has abdominal obesity despite a normal BMI.

Option by option

A. 88 cm or more
88 cm is the Western ATP III cut-off for women and is too high for South Asians.
B. 102 cm or more
102 cm is the Western cut-off for men.
C. 94 cm or more
94 cm is the European cut-off for men, not a cut-off for women.
D. 80 cm or more (correct)
Correct. A waist of 80 cm or more in a South Asian woman signifies central obesity, so her 84 cm qualifies.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, 80 cm or more. For South Asians the International Diabetes Federation uses 90 cm or more in men and 80 cm or more in women.

Why is "88 cm or more" not the answer?

88 cm is the Western ATP III cut-off for women and is too high for South Asians.

Why is "102 cm or more" not the answer?

102 cm is the Western cut-off for men.

Why is "94 cm or more" not the answer?

94 cm is the European cut-off for men, not a cut-off for women.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Obesity: waist circumference cut-off in PSM. Western cut-offs of 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women underestimate risk in South Asians. This woman therefore has abdominal obesity despite a normal BMI.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Obesity: waist circumference cut-off?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.