Measurement of excess body fat objectively requires the use of investigations like Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance imaging, which are generally not easily accessible, expensive and may involve exposure to radiation. Use of anthropometric measures have been used with various levels of sensitivity. We therefore set out to determine the predictive ability of Body mass index(BMI) and waist to height ratio(WHtR) in determining Obesity in children.
Methods: Students in classes 4 and 5 from four different primary schools in North central Nigeria were recruited after ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical review board of the State. Height, Weight, Waist circumference (WC) were measured. Percentage body fat was measured using a Tanita (BC-543 model) bioimpedance scale. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
Results: A total of 202 pupils from 4 randomly selected primary schools (2 private and 2 public schools) within the Ilorin metropolis were recruited for the study consisting of 90 males and 112 females. Prevalence of obesity and central obesity using body fat from bioimpedance and WHtR were 4.95% and 11.4% respectively. Both BMI and WHtR correlated well with Percentage body fat in determining Obesity. The area under curve was 0.853 for WHtR, 0.871 for WC and 0.930 for BMI (P value for all: 0.000)
Conclusion: WHtR, WC and BMI are very good tools for determining Obesity in children and can be used as surrogates for determining excess body fat.