Assessment of Obesity using Anthropometric Markers among University Students

Abstract

Over the past few decades there has been an increase in the central or abdominal obesity. Endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance with metabolic syndrome and a higher cardiometabolic risk are directly linked to abdominal obesity. A better understanding of the epidemiology of obesity would provide insights to its mitigation. This cross sectional study was designed to identify Central obesity, General obesity and Normal Weight central obesity among young adults using the following surrogate markers Waist circumference (WC), Waist hip ratio (WHR), Waist height ratio (WtHR) and BMI. After due informed written consent, 300 young adults with equal representation of both sexes (150 each) studying MBBS, Dentistry and Physiotherapy stream in a private university were selected. Various anthropometric measures like weight, hip circumference and waist circumference and height were measured according to WHO STEPS instrument. BMI based on Asia- Pacific cut -off values was used to define general obesity. Central obesity was defined by a Waist Circumference of  80 cm in females and  90 cm in male’s .For waist to height ratio a value of  0.5 in both genders was used. For waist to hip ratio the cut off value used was 0.85 in females and 0.90 in males. An individual with normal weight according to BMI but having central obesity fits into Normal Weight Central obesity category. Average age of the participants was 20.6 1.31 years. General Obesity was more among males with 46% prevalence as compared to 25.33%among females. In contrast, the prevalence of central obesity was more among females. The prevalence of Normal weight central obesity was more among females, varying from 4% to 17% using different types of anthropometric measures for central obesity. A high positive correlation was observed between BMI with WC, WtHR and WHR. (p=0.0001) Current practice of taking only BMI into consideration for defining obesity in our country needs serious re-evaluation considering the increasing prevalence of abdominal obesity and its long term impact.