COMPARING BMI RATING WITH TRICEPS AND SUPRAILIAC SKINFOLD MEASUREMENTS AS INDICATOR OF O BESITY IN FEMALE STUDENTS OF LUMHS

Abstract

Objective: To compare the BMI rating and skinfold measurements of triceps and suprailiac for screening of obesity. Methods and Materials: A total of 316 female students with the age group of 17 to 25 were included from Liaquat University of Medical and Health sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. The triceps and suprailiac skinfold thickness of the subjects was measured with skinfold calipers. The measurement of skin fold thickness was entered into SLOAN body density equations i.e. Body Density = 1.0764 - (0.0008 x iliac crestskinfold in mm) - (0.00088 x triceps skinfold in mm), based on a sample aged 17-25. Then body density is converted into percent body fat using the following formula (Siri, 1961). %fat = [495/body density] 450 For Statistical analysis correlation was performed on SPSS. Design of study: An observational cross sectional study was conducted. Database: APTA, Pub Med, Google scholar, Cochrane Libraray Outcome: According to the results of BMI rating 81 (25.6 %) participants were underweight, 190 (60.1 %) were normal, 39 (12.3 %) were overweight, and 6 (1.9%) were obese. According to the results of body fat percentage 39 (12.3 %) were lean, 267 (84.5%) were acceptable, 10(3.2%) were moderately overweight. Result: There is a strong positive correlation between the weight and BMI [r =0.907, n = 316, p =0.000]. There is a weak positive correlation between the weight and body fat percentage [r =0.646, n = 316, p =0.000]. Conclusion: BMI alone is not a valid indicator of overweight and obesity. Therefore, BMI must be considered with other factors and should not be used as a sole measurement of obesity.