Normative values of anthropometric indices among residents of Calabar, South east Nigeria

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Date
2012-06
Authors
Enang, O
Essien, O
Fasanmade, O.A
Ohwovoriole, A.E
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Endocrine Society
Abstract
Background: Ethnic-specific anthropometric values have been proposed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to aid in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. No such values are available for Sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Objectives: To determine and propose normative values of indices of anthropometry among the inhabitants of a coastal Nigerian city.Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, a sample comprising 1134 subjects (645 males and 489 females) representative of the entire population of Calabar aged 15–79 was studied. A multistage sampling method was applied and 50 households from each of the four wards were selected using the table of random numbers, out of which eligible individuals aged between 15 years and 79 years from the200 households selected were recruited. Using a modification of the WHO STEPS instrument the information obtained included anthropometric indices (height in meters, weight in kilogram, waist circumference in centimeters, Hip circumference in centimeters). Anthropometric indices were expressed as mean (standard deviation). The normative values of indices of nutriture were determined using the mean at 95% confidence interval, and the level of significance was taken at P < 0.05.Results: The mean (95% CI) values of BMI for males and females were 27.0kg/m2 (95% CI 26.5-27.2) and 28.5kg/m2 (95% CI 28.0-29.0) respectively, P <0.01. The mean (95% CI) value of WC males was 91cm (95% CI 90.2-91.8), of females was 89.8cm (95% CI88.8-90.8), P < 0.01. The mean (95% CI) values of WHR males was 0.90 (95% CI 0.88-0.89) while that of females was 0.85 (95% CI0.87-0.89) P < 0.01. The mean (95% CI) values of the height of males were 1.70m (1.70-1.72) and of females was 1.60m (1.64-1.65), P<0.01.Conclusion: The normative values of anthropometry in the study population are different from those from other parts of Nigeria and other parts of the world with lower BMI, higher WC, and WHR.More studies on anthropometric indices, involving other regions of the country are needed, to aid in the establishment of nationwide specific cut-off values for Nigeria.
Description
Endocrine Society 94th annual meeting and Expo 2012
Keywords
Anthropometric values , International Diabetes Federation (IDF) , metabolic syndrome , Calabar , Nigeria , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Social medicine
Citation
Enang OE, Essien OE, Fasanmade OA, Ohwovoriole AE. Normative values of anthropometric indices among residents of Calabar, South East Nigeria. Endocrine Society 94th annual meeting and Expo 2012