Table 1 Outcome variable operationalization

BMI (Body mass index)

<  30 kg/m² (Normal, underweight and overweight)

≥ 30 kg/m² (Obesity, severe/extreme obesity)

[51]

Abdominal obesity

Waist circumference

Men: < 102 cm

Women: < 88 cm

(Normal or increased risk)

Waist circumference

Men: ≥ 102 cm

Women: ≥ 88 cm

(Substantially increased risk)

[51]

LDL levels^a (Low-density Lipoprotein cholesterol)

≤ 4.9 mmol/L (Desirable to high)

> 4.9 mmol/L OR taking lipid treatment (Very High)

[52]

HDL levels (High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol)

Men: ≥1.0 mmol/L

Women:: ≥1.2 mmol/L

(Normal risk)

Men: < 1.0 mmol/L

Women: < 1.2 mmol/L

(Increased risk)

[42]

Triglycerides

< 1.7 mmol/L (Normal risk)

≥1.7 mmol/L (Increased risk)

[42]

Total cholesterol^a

<  6.5 mmol/L (Ideal to high)

≥ 6.5 mmol/L OR taking lipid treatment (Very or extremely high)

[42, 53]

Glucose regulation

Fasting capillary plasma glucose ≤6.0 mmol/L and 2 h plasma glucose ≤8.8 mmol/L (Normal)

Impaired fasting glucose (IFG): fasting capillary plasma glucose 6.1–6.9 mmol/L

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT): fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 and 2 h plasma glucose 8.9–12.1 mmol/L

Diabetes: fasting plasma glucose ≥7.0 or/and 2 h plasma glucose ≥12.2 mmol/L OR self-reported diabetes

(Hyperglycemia)

[54]

Blood pressure

<  140/90 mmHg (Optimal to Pre-hypertensive)

≥ 140/90 mmHg OR self-reported anti-hypertensive drug (Hypertensive)

[55]