Abstract:
Incidence of obesity in the world has doubled from 1980s to date.
Anthropometric assessments are used in assessing obesity and used as an
indicator of body fat content. Thus, the objective of the study was to identify
the relationship between anthropometric parameters and socio-demographic
factors, physical activity in non-diabetic subjects. A cross-sectional study
was conducted among 244 subjects (age 20-70 years). Weight, height, Waist
Circumference (WC), Hip Circumference (HC) and Mid Arm Circumference
(MAC) were obtained then Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio
(WHR) were calculated. Demographic characteristics and levels of physical
activities were obtained using an interviewer administrated questionnaire.
Majority were females (61.9%) and Sinhalese (93.9%). Mean (±SD) BMI,
WC, HC, WHR and MAC of the male population were 23.9±3.5 kg m-2
,
86.9±10.7 cm, 98±7.4 cm, 0.88±0.07 and 30.1±3.0 cm respectively. Mean
(±SD) BMI, WC, HC, WHR and MAC of the female population were
24.0±4.3 kg m-2
, 80.5±10.9 cm, 96.4±9.3 cm, 0.83±0.08 and 28.7±4.1 cm
respectively. There was a significant difference in mean WC (P=0.000) and
WHR (P=0.000) among males and females. BMI, WC and WHR had a
significant positive (P<0.01) correlation with age among female population
whereas males had a significant (P<0.05) correlation with MAC (negative)
and WHR (positive) only. Physical activity had a non-significant (P>0.05)
negative correlation with BMI and WHR. WHR showed a significant
positive association with age among both males and females. However,
anthropometric assessments did not indicate significant correlations with
physical activity.
