Waist-to-hip measurement ratio among dental students in urban areas

Abstract

Background: Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an anthropometric measure commonly used to characterize regional adiposity. WHR is a crude estimate of the relative amount of abdominal fat: Higher the hip girth compared to waist girth, the greater the proportion of abdominal fat. As early as the 1980s, several prospective epidemiological studies reported that WHR is a significant predictor of coronary heart disease and death. A large number of studies have since replicated these initial findings, with some reporting that WHR was a stronger predictor of myocardial infarction or mortality risk. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the WHR in among students of the private dental college, to review the usefulness of waist circumference and WHR measures as predictors of non-communicable disease risk and to define the potential cut off points for public health action. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 young adults studying in private dental college were chosen for the study. Students with systemic illness were excluded from the study. The waist and the hip circumferences were measured. The results were recorded and tabulated. Results: The WHR calculated in students found to be significant in 64.28% of the students and it is not significant in 35.72% of the students and most of the students have an appropriate WHR. Conclusion: The research proves that most of the students studying in Saveetha Dental College were found to have normal WHR. The study will aid the physician in earlier identification of various systemic complications such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases by assessing the WHR.