Índices cintura-talla y triglicéridos-glucosa para la identificación temprana de riesgo cardiometabólico en población adulta de La Guajira, Colombia

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality and healthcare burden in Colombia. Central adiposity and metabolic dysfunction play a critical role in cardiometabolic risk. The waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) has emerged as a better indicator of visceral adiposity than body mass index, while the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index reflects early metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance. However, analytical evidence integrating these indicators remains limited in socially vulnerable populations.Objective. To evaluate the association between the waist-to-height ratio and cardiometabolic biomarkers, including lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin, homocysteine, and the TyG index, in adults from three municipalities in La Guajira, Colombia.Materials and methods. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in adult participants. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected to determine lipid profile, glucose, triglycerides, HbA1c, and homocysteine levels. The WHtR and TyG indices were calculated. Associations were assessed using correlation analyses and multivariable models.Results. Elevated WHtR values were significantly associated with adverse lipid profiles, higher HbA1c levels, increased homocysteine concentrations, and higher TyG index values. WHtR showed consistent performance as an indicator of cardiometabolic risk across different population subgroups.Conclusions. WHtR is a simple, low-cost marker strongly associated with multiple metabolic and vascular indicators. Its incorporation into screening strategies may improve early detection and prioritization of preventive interventions in vulnerable populations.