Publication:

Obesity in Nigeria children and adolescents-waist circumference a more sensitive indicator

Background Studies on definition of obesity using anthropometric measurements as indicators among children and adolescents are scanty in Nigeria. This study defined obesity among children and adolescents in south west Nigeria using selected anthropometric characteristics.

Methods Participants were between 5 to 19 years. They were randomly recruited, until 2114 completed the procedure. Participant’s age and sex were obtained. Height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p 0.05) with gender (χ2 = 23.762, p = 0.001) and age (χ2 = 25.585, p = 0.001), with a higher percentage of males in the obese group. The 25th and 95th percentile of anthropometric measures were: BMI (kg/m2) = ≤15.9, ≥23.0; WC = ≤56.0, ≥73.0cm; WHR = ≤0.82, ≥0.97 and WHtR ≤0.40, ≥0.48 for underweight and obese respectively.

Conclusions Prevalence of obesity was low; WC was the most sensitive indicator for obesity. Gender and age influenced anthropometric indices.