A COMPARISON OF WAIST-TO-HEIGHT RATIO, BMI, AND WAIST-TO-HIP RATIO

Publication Date

4-5-2019

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Mentor

David Thomas

Mentor Department

Kinesiology & Recreation

Abstract

Body composition is a measure of the proportion of fat-free versus fat mass and is an important component of general health and wellness. As obesity rates continue to become more prevalent, more non-invasive methods for measuring body composition are needed to determine one's risk of disease. Purpose: To compare waist-to-height ratio (WTHT) to body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) for determining body composition. Methods: Height was measured in centimeters using a wall mounted stadiometer. Mass was measured in kilograms using a clinical scale. Waist and hip circumferences were measured in centimeters using a Gullick tape measure. Waist to height ratio was calculated by dividing the participant's waist circumference by their height. BMI was calculated by dividing the participant's mass by their height squared. Waist to hip ratio was calculated by dividing their waist circumference by their hip circumference. Results: Twenty-two volunteers (8 male; 14 female) with an average age of 20.8 years (+ 1.04) participated in the study. The average height of the subjects was 170 cm (+ 0.11). Mean BMI was 23.65 (+ 3.18). Mean measurements for waist and hip were 76.2 cm (+ 8.07) and 99.25 cm (+ 7.78), respectively. The correlation between BMI and waist to height ratio was r = 0.78 which reflects a moderately strong correlation. The correlation between waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio was r = 0.59, or a moderate correlation. Conclusion: Waist to height ratio was related to BMI. In this regard, WTHT ratio may be a substitute for BMI as a screening method for overweight and obesity.

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