Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children

Background: Waist-related measures are commonly used to classify central adiposity and related comorbidities. This classification may be essential among children, as it may identify the risk of future non-communicable diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Cape prov...

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Main Authors: Howard Gomwe, Lesego Phiri, Chioneso S. Marange
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2024-08-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5932
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author Howard Gomwe
Lesego Phiri
Chioneso S. Marange
author_facet Howard Gomwe
Lesego Phiri
Chioneso S. Marange
author_sort Howard Gomwe
collection DOAJ
description Background: Waist-related measures are commonly used to classify central adiposity and related comorbidities. This classification may be essential among children, as it may identify the risk of future non-communicable diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, among 459 primary school learners aged 9–14 years. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured using standardised techniques recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), WC, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were computed and evaluated. Results: Most participants were girls (57.70%) with an average age of 11.20 ± 1.60 years. The average weight was 38.81 kg ± 10.49 kg with an average height of 144.16 (standard deviation [s.d.] = 10.37) cm. The sample had a BMI of 18.41 kg/m2 (s.d. = 3.19). The results showed, on average, WC of 62.10 cm ± 8.12 cm, WHR of 0.82 ± 0.15 and WHtR of 0.44 ± 0.05. Girls reported significantly higher BMI, WC and WHtR. Based on WHtR, the results showed the acceptable ability to classify children according to abdominal obesity, thus identifying their risk for comorbidities. Conclusion: Overall body fat indicated by BMI and central obesity shown by waist-related anthropometric measures can play a significant role in classifying children in terms of their risk of comorbidities. Contribution: To prevent the risks of metabolic diseases in childhood, it is necessary to detect abdominal obesity early using WC-based anthropometric measurements, especially WHtR, to identify those at risk.
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spelling doaj-art-e0c246f6ba0c440b87b3a1c388293bd42025-08-20T03:47:07ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042024-08-01661e1e610.4102/safp.v66i1.59324463Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in childrenHoward Gomwe0Lesego Phiri1Chioneso S. Marange2Skills Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaSkills Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Fort Hare, East LondonBackground: Waist-related measures are commonly used to classify central adiposity and related comorbidities. This classification may be essential among children, as it may identify the risk of future non-communicable diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, among 459 primary school learners aged 9–14 years. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured using standardised techniques recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The anthropometric measurements, including body mass index (BMI), WC, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were computed and evaluated. Results: Most participants were girls (57.70%) with an average age of 11.20 ± 1.60 years. The average weight was 38.81 kg ± 10.49 kg with an average height of 144.16 (standard deviation [s.d.] = 10.37) cm. The sample had a BMI of 18.41 kg/m2 (s.d. = 3.19). The results showed, on average, WC of 62.10 cm ± 8.12 cm, WHR of 0.82 ± 0.15 and WHtR of 0.44 ± 0.05. Girls reported significantly higher BMI, WC and WHtR. Based on WHtR, the results showed the acceptable ability to classify children according to abdominal obesity, thus identifying their risk for comorbidities. Conclusion: Overall body fat indicated by BMI and central obesity shown by waist-related anthropometric measures can play a significant role in classifying children in terms of their risk of comorbidities. Contribution: To prevent the risks of metabolic diseases in childhood, it is necessary to detect abdominal obesity early using WC-based anthropometric measurements, especially WHtR, to identify those at risk.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5932central adiposity, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, rural children.
spellingShingle Howard Gomwe
Lesego Phiri
Chioneso S. Marange
Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
South African Family Practice
central adiposity, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, rural children.
title Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
title_full Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
title_fullStr Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
title_full_unstemmed Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
title_short Waist-based anthropometric measures and central adiposity-related comorbidities in children
title_sort waist based anthropometric measures and central adiposity related comorbidities in children
topic central adiposity, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, rural children.
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5932
work_keys_str_mv AT howardgomwe waistbasedanthropometricmeasuresandcentraladiposityrelatedcomorbiditiesinchildren
AT lesegophiri waistbasedanthropometricmeasuresandcentraladiposityrelatedcomorbiditiesinchildren
AT chionesosmarange waistbasedanthropometricmeasuresandcentraladiposityrelatedcomorbiditiesinchildren