In the literature, a variety of anthropometric indicators for abdominal obesity have been suggested. The criteria for their selection vary, and they have been justified mainly on the basis of being correlated with other risk factors, with morbidity and mortality, or to be predictors of the amount of visceral fat. Many of the studies, however, suffer from methodological limitations: they are based on a small number of subjects, often derived from cross-sectional data, based on indirect measurement of risk, or the indicators are complicated to interpret biologically or difficult to use in a public health context. The literature lacks a systematic evaluation of the proposed indicators taking into account possible differences between genders, age categories and ethnic groups and different diseases and mortality. Similar considerations relate to the cut-off points based on the indicators of abdominal obesity. The suggested cutoff points for waist-hip ratio have been based on rather arbitrary criteria, and the studies where cut-off points for waist circumference have been suggested have methodological shortcomings as well, such as being based on cross-sectional data and arbitrary cut-off points for other variables. It is also a reason for concern that so far all suggested cut-off points for abdominal obesity have been based on results obtained in Caucasian populations. Moreover, they are based on assessment of risk and their appropriateness in the use of intervention has not been evaluated. Therefore, no consensus about the appropriateness of the different cut-off points has been reached. We conclude that there is an apparent lack of consistency in the field and therefore a more scientifically and theoretically solid basis for the selection and use of anthropometric indicators of abdominal obesity and cut-off points based on them should be a high priority in this research field in the near future.

D. Flinn et al., 'Proceedings of International Conference on Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management: fostering stakeholder input to advance development of scientifically-based indicators, 24-28 August 1998, Melbourne, Australia', IUFRO, CIFOR, FAO, Vienna, Austria, 1998

As a basis for the development of environmental indicators for coasts and estuaries, the Ministry for the Environment requires performance or policy goals based on key legislation and policy documents. This report suggests a number of draft goals that are considered appropriate for the National Environmental Indicators Programme.

Measurable indicators are needed to gauge the effects of management activities and natural phenomena on forest sustainability. To meet this need, the Bioindicators of Forest Sustainability Project is testing physiological approaches to develop a Forest Condition Rating (FCR) system. An FCR system would directly support provincial policy (e.g., Forest Resource Assessment Policy) and national initiatives (e.g., Criteria and Indicators) by providing an understanding of ecosystem condition. Furthermore, this project addresses a pressing need for indicators that can support operational forest management and possible concerns of sustainability at the local level. Development of an FCR system involves interpreting remotely sensed spectral information with the aid of ground-based assessments of structural and functional (i.e., physiological) aspects of forest condition. Analysis of this spectral information may reveal indicators of health across a wide range of tree species and ages. Current research activities include controlled laboratory studies, ground-based field assessments and acquisition of hyperspectral airborne data to develop gradients in key spectral features that correspond to actual differences in physiology. This report provides first-year progress results. Preliminary correlations in controlled experiments have been made between leaf-based spectral reflectance and physiological status. Compilation of a leaf-based spectral database has been initiated. The database shows the influence of species, leaf age, stress status, season and other factors on spectral features. Other physiological and structural measures, such as foliar biochemistry, stem electrical resistance, and leaf area index, have also been linked to forest decline status. Finally, a brief summary of collaborative projects and proposed research activities is provided. | Funding for the project is being provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, with in-kind contributions from the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology (CRESTech), the Canadian Forest Service and the Ministry of Environment and Energy. | Peer reviewed

Assessing the impact of information and communication management on institutional performance is a complex matter, with quantitative techniques not yet well defined and the development of appropriate indicators still at an early stage. In order to develop a framework for evaluating the impact of information a workshop was organised by CTA from 27 to 29 January 1998, in Wageningen, the Netherlands. This event brought together experts from various fields to share their experiences and exchange ideas. The main objectives of the workshop were: ? to identify the relationship between information and communication and the performance of organisations with particular reference to effectiveness, efficiency and networking; ? to determine the indicators which can be employed to illustrate this relationship; ? to find the best way of collecting information on the indicators; ? to assess the significance of such information; ? to develop a practical and cost-effective approach for measuring the impact of information and communication on institutional performance and identifying priority issues. The keynote address, given by Dr Cooke, Director of the CTA, highlighted the importance of information and communication channels in agriculture and rural development and in institutional strengthening, including empowering the National Agricultural Systems (NAS) through capacity building, and identifying key indicators to determine effectiveness and efficiency. Several approaches which could be used to assess these indicators were discussed. Based on workshop discussions, the participants identified the following key issues relating to the concept and implementation of impact assessment : Impact assessment is an ongoing learning process intimately tied to the organisational environment. The impact of information activities can be assessed by looking for indicators relating to the client orientation of the information activity, the information channels used by an organisation, and the organisation's policy on information and management systems. Selection of the key indicators should be participatory and easy to follow. Impact assessment should take into account human and socio-economic indicators. The working groups strongly recommended that CTA should continue to pursue its goal of developing a cost-effective method for such impact assessment by carrying out pilot studies in collaboration with organisations in ACP countries. | In order to develop a framework for evaluating the impact of information a workshop was organised by CTA from 27 to 29 January 1998, in Wageningen, the Netherlands

This poverty note analyzes the usefulness of poverty maps, and how they can be constructed using census and survey data, for the use and benefit of policy makers to focus scarce development resources. The note goes on to describe various kinds of poverty maps, such as those based on indexes of welfare, basic needs indicators, and disaggregated consumption-based factors. Methodologies to create these maps, are further discussed at some length.

To empower local authorities to plan and evaluate adequate interventions, appropriate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) indicators need to be identified. The aim of this study was to describe the magnitude and severity of IDD with different outcome indicators and associate them with functional indicators. Schoolchildren (n = 544) aged 8-10 y were assessed in 11 villages within five subdistricts of Malang District, East Java, Indonesia. Outcome indicators of IDD were goiter size as measured by palpation and ultrasonography (USG), urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration in blood as well as functional indicators such as intellectual performance (IQ: Catell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test) and anthropometric indices. The total goiter rate (TGR) measured by palpation and USG were 35.7 and 54.4%, respectively. Based on UIE and TSH, the prevalence of iodine deficiency was 63.7 and 3.4%, respectively. In individuals, goiter, thyroid volume and UIE were associated significantly (r = -0.35; P < 0.001 and r = -0.30; P = 0.02 respectively). Among villages, TGR measured by palpation was significantly correlated with thyroid volume (r = 0.61; P = 0.045) and UIE (r = 0.68; P = 0.021), whereas TSH was not significantly associated with any of the observed indicators in individuals or groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that USG (beta = -0.67; P < 0.001) and UIE (beta = 4.39; P = 0.008) related significantly with cognitive performance (IQ). The associations between IDD indicators and cognitive performance and height-for-age Z scores suggest that socioeconomically advantaged children had better iodine status. We suggest that UIE is the best indicator for local authorities to assess iodine deficiency.