Prevalence of obesity as determined by different anthropometric indices among rural adolescents in Aba South LGA Abia State Nigeria

Eme Paul Eze, . and Onuoha Nnenna Ola, . and Mbah B. O., . Prevalence of obesity as determined by different anthropometric indices among rural adolescents in Aba South LGA Abia State Nigeria. pp. 81-90. ISSN 1394-035X

Introduction: Adolescent obesity is a growing public health problem worldwide. This study assessed the prevalence of obesity in a sample of Nigerian rural adolescents using different anthropometric indices. Methods: A total of 600 secondary school adolescents aged 10 to 19 years were selected from ten secondary schools in the Aba South Local Government Area (WA) using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Weight height arm circumference and skinfold measurements were obtained using standard methods. Body fat percentage was calculated according to the Slaughter and Shaikh equations. Descriptive statistics were used to examine gender-specific anthropometric indices. Chi-square and independent t-test were applied to determine differences between the sexes. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the subjects was 9.7 and 3.5 respectively. There was a significant difference between males and females for waist circumference waist-hip ratio waist-height ratio and body fat percentage. Females had more fat deposits in all the skinfold sites measured than males regardless of age group. Females also had significantly higher body fat than males. Multiple regression analysis revealed that calf fat was a strong predictor of body fat percentage in the subjects. Conclusion: More than 10 of the rural Nigerian adolescents studied were overweight with the females showing significantly higher body fat than the males according to the criteria used. Further studies are recommended to identify contributing factors for the results obtained.

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Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent obesity is a growing public health problem worldwide. This study assessed the prevalence of obesity in a sample of Nigerian rural adolescents using different anthropometric indices. Methods: A total of 600 secondary school adolescents aged 10 to 19 years were selected from ten secondary schools in the Aba South Local Government Area (WA) using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Weight height arm circumference and skinfold measurements were obtained using standard methods. Body fat percentage was calculated according to the Slaughter and Shaikh equations. Descriptive statistics were used to examine gender-specific anthropometric indices. Chi-square and independent t-test were applied to determine differences between the sexes. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the subjects was 9.7 and 3.5 respectively. There was a significant difference between males and females for waist circumference waist-hip ratio waist-height ratio and body fat percentage. Females had more fat deposits in all the skinfold sites measured than males regardless of age group. Females also had significantly higher body fat than males. Multiple regression analysis revealed that calf fat was a strong predictor of body fat percentage in the subjects. Conclusion: More than 10 of the rural Nigerian adolescents studied were overweight with the females showing significantly higher body fat than the males according to the criteria used. Further studies are recommended to identify contributing factors for the results obtained.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Obesity
AGROVOC Term:	Metabolic disorders
AGROVOC Term:	Anthropometry
AGROVOC Term:	Adolescents
AGROVOC Term:	Height
AGROVOC Term:	Body weight
AGROVOC Term:	Body measurements
AGROVOC Term:	Skin fold thickness
AGROVOC Term:	Random sampling
AGROVOC Term:	Multiple regression analysis
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:53
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/7881

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