Evaluation of Anthropometric Profile in Obesity in Nigerian Females during Pregnancy

Abstract

Background and Aim: Excess body fat deposition is known to be unhealthy. There have been controversies on defined anthropometric parameters for the assessment of obesity during pregnancy. This is because certain cut‑off values relating to it are influenced by age, sex, ethnicity, and trimesters of pregnancy. This study is aimed at investigating the use of anthropometric parameters to measure obesity and determine its prevalence in the different trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: The research is a prospective study of 460 pregnant women in the sample proportion of 110, 110, and 240 in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters, respectively, chosen randomly from antenatal clinic of the Rivers State Primary Health care centre, Rumuepirikom, Obio‑Akpor, Rivers State. Measurements of height, weight, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference were obtained. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from values of height and weight. Waist‑to‑height ratio (WHtR) and waist‑to‑hip ratio (WHR) were also calculated from waist and hiP values. Results: The result showed a BMI prevalence of 3.6%, 7.3%, and 0.8%; WC prevalence of 15.5%, 15.5%, and 3%; WHR prevalence of 43.6%, 35.5%, and 14.2%; WHtR prevalence of 56.4%, 51.8%, and 40% all in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters, respectively. A negative linear correlation was shown between the other indices and BMI as an independent variable in 1st trimester with value (r = −0.015) against a (r = 0.085 and 0.165) in WC and WHtR, respectively. There was an association among the other anthropometric indices against BMI with no statistically significant difference at the level of 95% (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study are therefore recommended as a guide for clinical judgment in preventive and therapeutic health care services on obesity.