Background: Improved understanding of the gender-wise correlation of simple anthropometric indices with various cardiovascular risk factors will help in designing better disease prevention strategies.
Objectives: The study aimed to analyze the gender-wise correlation of body mass index (BMI), hip circumference (HC) waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with insulin resistance, serum lipids, etc., in an adult Indian population.
Patients and Methods: Adults with age 18 years and above (496 subjects) were studied. Anthropometric measurements were done in all.  A standard (75g) oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all. Serum/plasma samples were assayed for lipid profile, glucose (fasting, 2-hour), and insulin.
Results:  There were 192 (39%) females and 304 (61%) males. The mean age of males was 28.8 years, and that of females was 30.0 years. Gender-wise Multivariate Regression analyses were performed. BMI was the most significant predictor for HOMA-IR in both genders. In males, WHR and BMI were the most significant predictor of lipid parameters. In females, BMI was the significant predictor for triglyceride and WC was the most significant predictor for HDL-cholesterol. HC in females was better correlated with CVD risk factors compared to WHR.
Conclusion: Similarities and differences were observed in the gender-wise correlation of anthropometric indices with cardiovascular disease risk factors. In both sexes, BMI predicted Insulin resistance.  In males, WHR was the most significant predictor for serum lipids. However, in females, no clear pattern was visible; BMI was a better predictor for triglyceride, and WC was a better predictor for HDL-cholesterol.