WAIST HIP RATIO AND BODY MASS INDEX IN WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Abstract

Background: Obesity in childhood and adolescence is increasing in developing countries around the world. It is defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue, to the extent that health may be impaired. Our study primarily aimed at screening for obesity in females of different age groups by finding out the correlation between waist hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) as a guidance for obesity related diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 90 socio-economically matched women in age range of 20–55 years was conducted in Department of Physiology, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, and Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Lahore from July to December 2009. The students and staff of the department participated in the study. Subjects with history of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease were excluded. The subjects were grouped as G1 (21–29 years), G2 (30–39 years), and G3 (40–55 years). WHR and BMI of all the groups were determined. Results: In G1, WHR was 0.74±0.030 with BMI 21.59±3.07. G2 had WHR 0.78±0.055 and BMI 26.8±2.04, whereas in G3 WHR was 0.80±0.043 and BMI 32.4±4.23. Significant correlation (r=0.65), (r=0.79), (r=0.91) was found between WHR and BMI in all three groups respectively. Comparison also revealed a linear positive correlation graphically in all groups between WHR and BMI. Conclusion: There is a strong association between WHR and BMI for evaluation of obesity in different age groups and can serve as guidance for weight control to prevent complications of obesity