Waist Circumference Complementing Body Mass Index Assessed as Non-Communicable Disease Risk Indicators in Adult Women in El Salvador; A Comparative International Study (P10-076-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objective is to confirm waist circumference measures as practical complementary measures to BMI to identify those at risk for obesity and non-communicable diseases in Salvadoran women in an international nutrition study. MethodsAnthropometric data was collected during the pre-testing and educational intervention phase of an international comparative study. Data collection on 128 Latina women 18 years and older occurred during one month at the Shalom Clinic in El Salvador. In-country doctors and osteopathic medical students were pre-trained using videos, pilot testing, standardized equipment and measurement protocols. ResultsThe subjects ranged in age with most, 37%, in their 20 s, 25% in their 30 s, and 21% in their 40 s. Most (n = 97) were non-pregnant, non-lactating with average weights = 147.2 lbs. (17.9, standard deviation, SD); average heights 60.04 inches (2.3, SD); average waist circumferences 37.0 inches (4.39 SD) and average BMI 28.47 (3.36 SD). BMI distributions indicated no subjects were underweight, 21% were normal, 43% overweight (national average, 38%) and 27% considered obese with one subject with BMI 40.6. Both waist circumference and BMI averages for this clinic population were approximately 25% over desired recommendations. Initial relationships relating BMI to several subject characteristics using Pearson correlations resulted in the highest positive coefficient for waist circumferences (r, 0.76) and weaker correlations with age (r, 0.14), physical activity (r, -0.34), education (r, -0.03) and income (r, – 0.11). ConclusionsBMI and WC measures identified overweight and obesity rates exceeding or similar, respectively, to national rates in this clinic population of Salvadoran adult women. WC measures are convenient, noninvasive and inexpensive and available to clinicians yet must be accurate to be of value. WC complimenting BMI as part of a clinical exam provides valuable insight to identify those at risk of NCD and enable clinicians to provide precision nutrition education to patients. Funding SourcesCompetitive Internal Institutional Research Office Award.