The Claim
In adults aged 50 and older, waist-to-hip ratio has lower discriminatory power for predicting type 2 diabetes compared to waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, with C-statistics of 0.632, 0.645, and 0.657 respectively.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In adults aged 50 and older, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio are better at identifying who will develop type 2 diabetes than waist-to-hip ratio, based on their statistical performance metrics.
See the scientific wording
Waist-to-hip ratio has lower discriminatory power for predicting type 2 diabetes than waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in adults aged 50 and older, with C-statistics of 0.632, 0.645, and 0.657 respectively.
Fat around the belly releases fatty acids that flood the liver and block insulin action, raising blood sugar. Fat on the hips and thighs releases helpful signals that protect against this, but when belly fat is large, its harmful effects overpower the protection from hip fat, leading to type 2 diabetes.
What the research says
1 studyIn older adults, measuring just the waist or waist compared to height is better at predicting diabetes than comparing waist to hip size, because the waist measurements show how much fat is around the middle — which matters more for diabetes risk.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.