Abstract:
Objectives: A waist-to-height stature (WSR) is a valid method for assessing accumulation excessive amount of upper body fat that poses a risk to health. As this anthropometric index has hardly been studied in Nigerian women, therefore it was aimed to screen Nigerian women for central fatness. Methodology: A total of 403 women aged 20 - 51 (42.4 ± 1.6) years were studied. Anthropometric measurements of height, waist circumference (WC) and WSR were measured or calculated. Stature and WC measurements were taken according to the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). WSR was calculated by dividing waist circumference (in cm) by stature (in cm). A WSR >0.5 was used to evaluate excess abdominal fatness. Results: WSR ranged between 0.45 and 0.76 among the women. Two hundred and sixty-six (66.5%) of the total had central obesity as measured by WSR. At all ages, the proportion of women with a WSR >0.5 increased, declining at later ages. At ages 20-30, 34(35.8%); 31-40, 92(64.4%); 41-50, 114(88.4%), and above 51, 28 (77.8%). Conclusion: The prevalence of WSR >0.5 was evident in this sample at all ages, suggesting the existence of abnormal central fatness in the women.
Page(s):
577-580
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, Volume: 26, Issue: 3, Year: 2010