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wjpmr, 2016,2(4), 155-156.
Alhasan et al.
Research Article
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL
World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research
ISSN 2455-3301
AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
WJPMR
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WAIST -TO- HIP RATIO VERSUS BODY MASS INDEX IN DIAGNOSIS OF OBESITY
Mohammed T. Al-Nazzawi2, Ahmed H. Alhasan1*, Ahmed T. Al-Nazzawi2, Aabed A. Alguraigri2,
Manaf M. Alsaqaf2, Mohannad A. Alharthi2, Alhareth A. Baarimah2, Ghazal O. Sanyour2,
Mohammed M. Aljehani2, Nawaf A. Huraeib1, Ahmed Z. Abid1, & Gamal H.Husnien1
1
2
University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Batterjee Medical College for Science and Technology.
*Corresponding Author: Ahmed H. Alhasan
University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Article Received on 04/06/2016
Article Revised on 25/06/2016
Article Accepted on 15/07/2016
ABSTRACT
Aim: To compare hip-to- waist ratio with body mass index in diagnosis of obesity. Methods: A descriptive
university-based study conducted by examining subjects in the age group of 18 to 21 years of selected 40 males
student of KAU in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from weight was obtained using a measuring scale and the
standing height was measured against a stadiometer. The weight and height were used to calculate the body mass
index (BMI) according to the following formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)] 2. Results: BMI, 5% of the students
were underweight, 42.5% of the students were normal weight, 30% were overweight and 22.5% were obese, while
WHR, was 5% of the students were normal, 25% of were good, 42.5% were average and 27.5% of the students
were at risk. Conclusion: WHR is simple and easy measure which can be used for detecting obesity than BMI.
KEYWORDS: body mass index, waist to hip ratio, diagnosis, obesity.
INTRODAUCTION
Obesity has become a major worldwide epidemic
affecting more than 300 million people. The WHO
definition of obesity as a disease, in which fat has
accumulated to an extent that health is adversely
affected, links the condition both to excess fatness and
risk.[1] Adiposity generally tracks from childhood into
adulthood.[2] Although an ideal method for measuring
adiposity does not exist[3], yet inexpensive, fast and
easily administered anthropometric methods as body
mass index (BMI) and circumferences, are generally
used to measure fatness.[4] Due to the importance of
obesity as a health problem among Saudi population, the
present study was conducted to compare hip-to- waist
ratio with body mass index in diagnosis of obesity.
SUBJECTS & METHODS
A descriptive study was carried out upon 40 students of
University of Jeddah (UJ). All students were males and
their ages ranged between 18 and 21 years old. Each
student was dressed underwear and his weight was
obtained using a measuring scale and the standing height
was measured against a stadiometer. The weight and
height were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI)
according to the following formula: weight (kg) / [height
(m)].[2]
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A measuring tape was used to measure Waist
circumference (WC) and Hip circumference (HC). WC
was measured at the minimum circumference between
the iliac crest and thoracic cage and HC was recorded at
the maximum circumference at the buttocks. The waist to- hip ratio (WHR) was calculated as a direct ratio of
waist versus hip circumference. The collected data were
recorded, tabulated and analyzed by SPSS v. 15. Those
with a BMI of 30 or higher and a WHR of 0.9 or higher
(men) and 0.85 or higher (women) were considered
obese.[5]
RESULTS
According to BMI, 5% of the students were underweight,
42.5% of the students were normal weight, 30% were
overweight and 22.5% were obese (Table1). According
to WHR, 5% of the students were excellent, 25% of the
student were good, 42.5% of the students were average
and 27.5% of the students were at risk (Table 2).
Table 1: Distribution of BMI in the students involved
in the study.
Number
Percentage
18.5>
2
5%
18.5-24.9
17
42.5%
25-29.9
12
30%
30<
9
22.5%
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Alhasan et al.
World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research
Table 2: Distribution of WHR in the students
involved in the study.
Number
Percentage
<0.85
2
5%
0.85-0.89
10
25%
0.90-0.95
17
42.5%
>0.95
11
27.5%
DISCUSSION
The data obtained from this study indicates that students
of University of Jeddah (UJ), as a part of Saudi
community, show obesity prevalence of 22.5% - 27.5%.
This finding, when considering the health hazards
associated with obesity, denotes that there is a real health
problem that would be avoided through maintaining a
normal body weight. The findings of the present study
are almost close to an earlier study, conducted from 1990
to 1993, in which the overall prevalence of obesity was
22.1%, with female’s prevalence of 26.6% compared to
male’s prevalence of 17.8%.[6]
However, in a more
recent study[7], an overall obesity prevalence of 35.6%
was described in Saudi population. Accordingly, the
obesity prevalence in Saudi Arabia is increasing
indicating an impending health problem for Saudi
people. This could be attributed to diet change and lack
of physical activity.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Bellizzi MC, Dietz WH. Workshop on childhood
obesity: summary of discussion . Am J Clin Nutr.,
1999; 70: 173S-175S.
World Health Organization. Definition, diagnosis
and classification of diabetes mellitus and its
complications: report of a WHO consultation.
Geneva: The Organization., 1999.
Al-Nuaim AA, Bamgboye EA, al-Rubeaan KA, alMazrou Y. Overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabian
adult population, role of socio-demographic
variables. J Community Health., 1997; 3: 211-223.
Al-Nozha MM, Al-Mazrou YY, et al. Obesity in
Saudi Arabia Saudi Med J., 2005; 26(5): 824-829.
Folsom AR, Kushi LH, Anderson KE, et al.
Association of general and abdominal obesity with
multiple health outcomes in older women. Arch
Intern Med., 2000; 160: 2117-28.
The incidence of obesity as per WHR in this study,
compared to BMI, is fairly high, accordingly, it would be
better in detecting obesity. In agreement, Folsom et al[8],
described that waist circumference and waist-hip ratio
are the measures of visceral or abdominal fat mass,
which are independent of height and muscle mass, and
are important predictors of risk of obesity related
diseases. The limitation of this study, is the small number
of the sample and selection of participants from only
males, however, it might reflect the figure among Saudi
population.
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION
Obesity is increasing problem in KSA that is a wellknown risk factor to a variety of medical disorders.
Adoption of modern lifestyle with less physical activity
and unhealthy eating habits are the most likely causes of
this problem. The WHR is a simple and easy measure
which can be used for detecting obesity than BMI.
REFERENCES
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Obesity: preventing and managing the global
epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. World
Health Organ Tech Rep Ser., 2000; 894: i-xii, 1-253.
Guo SS, Chumlea WC, Gardner JD, Siervogel RM.
Age- and maturity –related changes in body
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Disord 1997; 21: 1167-1175.
Burniat W, Cole TJ, LissauI, Poskitt E. Child and
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