Validation of Ethnicity-Specific anthropometric measurements thresholds for Obesity Based on Diabetes Risk in Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Objective This study validates updated ethnicity-specific anthropometric measurements thresholds for the Arab population. Methodology : Community-based retrospective cohort study conducted in 2011 and 2013 in Abu Dhabi-UAE. The average follow-up was 9.4 years. Results: Most (37.5 %) participants were obese and 77.3% with Waist-Height ratio (WHtR) ≥ 0.5. risk factors of end of higher follow-up BMI were higher baseline BMI, WHtR ≥ 0. 5, hypertension, and current smoking, were predictors of end of follow-up BMI; while female sex, older age, baseline diabetes, and higher random glucose levels were independently associated with lower. end of follow-up BMI. The overall incidence of diabetes was higher (12. 0%) among those with WHtR > 0.5 versus in those with WHtR < 0.52 (.8%). Cox regression identified WHtR ≥ 0.5 as a significant independent predictor of incident diabetes while BMI categories were not (overall p = 0. 903). Conclusion: This study validated indicates an underestimated metabolic risk in the Abu Dhabi population, which support more effective public health planning in the UAE and across the Middle East.