Appropriate Cut-Off Level of BMI for Screening in Thai Adults
Lakkana Thaikruea MD, MS, PhD*, Wiwat Seetamanotch MD**, Surangsri Seetamanotch MSc***
Affiliation : * Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Phuket Provincial Health Office, Phuket *** MTalang Hospital, Talang district, Phuket
Objective : A cut-off level of Body Mass Index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors is controversial for its
appropriateness in Asians. The present study aimed to determine the appropriate BMI cut-off level for Thai
Adults.
Materials and Methods : 127 out of 387 teachers of at least 35 years of age from Phuket participated in the
present study. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires, and had physical examination and
blood drawn for lipid profile.
Results : In multivariate analysis, participants with BMI > 23 kg/m2 were 2.7 (95%CI; 1.2, 6.1), 5.4 (2.3, 12.6),
5.1 (1.5, 16.0), and 7.2 (1.5, 34.1) times more likely to have total cholesterol > 240 mg/dl, high-density-
lipoprotein < 40 mg/dl, low-density-lipoprotein > 160 mg/dl, and total cholesterol to HDL ratio > 5.0,
respectively.
Conclusions : For screening/education program, the BMI of 23 kg/m2 may be an appropriate cut-off level for
being overweight. To support this finding, further studies in other regions and other populations of Thailand
are needed.
Keywords : BMI, Thailand, Overweight, Asian, CVR
