Prevalence of obesity as indicated by percentage of body fat, body mass index and waist circumference

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is considered a Public Health problem in Mexico. Its prevalence has been increasing during the last few years, affecting 36.1% of the adult population. For its evaluation, the percentage of body fat, the waist circumference and the body mass index are used, the latter being the
most used tool in the epidemiological field, however, it presents a limited accuracy in its evaluation.
Objectives: To determine the number of people with obesity, according to the methods of nutritional evaluation: body mass index, waist circumference and percentage of body fat.

Methods: Observational, prospective and transversal
study with 400 adults, 283 women and 117 men, with an average age of 44.7 ± 8.3 years. Anthropometric measurements of waist circumference, weight and height were made, obtaining body mass index and percentage of body fat. The cuts to determine obesity were: body mass index ≥ 30kg/m2,
waist circumference ≥ 102 cm men and ≥ 88 cm women and percentage of body fat >25% men and >33% women.
Correlation coefficients were estimated between body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage in men and women.
Results: The prevalence of obesity was 100% by percentage of body fat, 56.3% by body mass index and 55.7% by waist circumference. Low and moderate positive correlations were found
between percentage body fat and waist circumference.
Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity was different, depending on the different indicators used. The percentage of body fat was the most prevalent, followed by body mass index and waist circumference.