BODY MASS INDEX;

Abstract

Background: Asians compared to Europeans are known to be at an increasedrisk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Obesity is a global cardio metabolic healthand cancer risk. There is paucity of data regarding obesity in our local population. Aims &Objectives: To evaluate Body Mass Index (BMI). Visceral fat content and body fat percentageusing Bio-impedance body composition monitor. Thus to identify overweight and obeseindividuals with high visceral and body fat content the risk factors for cardio metabolicsyndrome. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: Outpatient Department of Medicine,Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Period: 15th January to 20th March 2016. Materialand Method: 250 patients above 18 years of age who reported in outdoor department wereenrolled after informed consent in local language according to enrollment criteria. Approved byethical review committee reference number FMS-2-2016-IRB-M-111. Their height and weightwere measured and BMI, visceral fat content and body fat percentage was calculated using bioimpedancebody composition monitor. They were asked questions for pertinent co-morbidities.The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0 version. Results: Out of 250 patients enrolled144 (58 %) were females and 106 (42 %) were males. Mean age was 45 ±13 years. Mean BMIwas 29kg/m2. Above normal BMI was seen in 170 (68%), 98(39%) were obese (BMI>30kg/m2) and 80 (32%) overweight (BMI 25-29.9). Above normal visceral fat content and body fatpercentage was seen in 110(44 %) and 191(76%) respectively. In the later group 100(67%) werefemales. Diabetes and hypertension were present in 63(64%) obese patients among 30(73%)with high visceral fat and in 90(60%) with high body fat percentage. Conclusion: A significantnumber of patients were overweight or obese with above normal visceral fat content and bodyfat percentage with female dominance in later group. They also had higher prevalence ofdiabetes and hypertension. Bio-impedance technique is useful simple inexpensive tool for initialassessment of visceral and body fat content in outdoor facility.