A study on evaluation of waist height ratio as a screening tool for obesity

Dr. Amudhadevi S., Department of Pediatrics,Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem, Tamilnadu, India, Dr. Sampath Kumar D, Department of Pediatrics,Govt. Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College, Salem, Tamilnadu, India
2018 Pediatric Review International Journal of Pediatric Research  
Childhood obesity has become a single marker for children at risk for development of various noncommunicable diseases later in life. This study is conducted to estimate the prevalence of obesity and the risk factors associated with it and to evaluate Waist Height Ratio (WHtR) as a screening tool to identify obesity in children. Materials and Methods: Across sectional study of children between 10 and 15 years of age from upper socioeconomic class from 2 urban schools. Results: The prevalence of
more » ... besity is 11.7% and prevalence of asymptomatic hypertension is 12%. The Waist height ratio is more than 0.5 in 21.2%. About 50.5% of obese and 40.5% of overweight children had a WHtR of >0.5. Waist Height Ratio correlated significantly with all 5 risk factors taken for the study. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in children between 10 to 15 years of age in this study is 11.7%. The Waist Height Ratio correlated significantly with the risk factors. Larger studies specific to Indian children are needed to make a clear cutoff value for WHtR to improve the sensitivity of screening.
doi:10.17511/ijpr.2018.i07.07 fatcat:r4flpqjvsndk5piyboqskliwni