AUTHOR=Fang Liyuan , Li Xiaotong , Fang Yuhang , Wang Yan , Wang Runxi , Xie Yi , Zhang Ying TITLE=Association between weight-adjusted-waist index and gynecologic cancers: a population-based study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2024 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1449643 DOI=10.3389/fnut.2024.1449643 ISSN=2296-861X ABSTRACT=This study aims to analyze the association between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and the risk of gynecologic cancers, using data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2016. Methods: We employed multiple logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between WWI and risk of gynecologic cancers. Subsequent subgroup analyses were performed on specific populations of interest. A restricted cubic spline model was used to explore potential non-linear relationships. Additionally, the effectiveness of WWI in predicting sarcopenia was assessed through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. K-fold cross-validation was applied for model assessment. Results: Among the 4144 participants, 98 self-reported having gynecologic cancers.In the fully adjusted model, WWI was significantly associated with the prevalence of gynecologic cancers (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02-1.88, P = 0.0344). Our findings indicate a linear positive association between WWI and the risk of gynecologic cancers. Subgroup analysis revealed that WWI had the strongest association with cervical cancer (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.97-2.18, P = 0.0354) and endometrial cancer (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.81-2.39, P = 0.0142). No significant association was found between WWI and the risk of ovarian cancer (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.48-2.72, P = 0.5359). Restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a linear relationship between WWI and the risk of cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that WWI had superior predictive capability for gynecologic cancers. Conclusions: Elevated levels of WWI were significantly associated with an increased risk of gynecologic cancers in American women, displaying a stronger association than other obesity markers. Therefore, WWI may serve as a distinct and valuable biomarker for assessing the risk of gynecologic cancers, particularly cervical and endometrial cancers.