BIA is known to provide a rapid, non-invasive and relatively accurate measurement of body composition with the possibility of utilizing at field settings. We used Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method to estimate the Body fat %. Published data on this topic is limited in South Asians, who have relatively high BF% and increased cardiovascular risk compared to other ethnic groups. At present, there are studies conducted in various ethnic groups to determine the effect of age and gender in the BMI -BF% relationship, and there are uncertainties about the final conclusion. This use of a single standard for obesity for all adults was recommended because it is thought to be independent of age and it can be used for making comparisons across studies. So BMI of >25 kg/m 2 and >30 kg/m 2 are considered to be overweight and obese in adults irrespective of gender and age. World Health Organisation (WHO) also recommends BMI as the most useful population level measure of overweight and obesity, and is used as the same for both sexes and in all ages of adults. Some even have described the linear or curvilinear nature of this relationship. How ever some studies have shown, that they (BMI-BF%) have an imperfect association and some in contrast justify a strong association. The most commonly used surrogate measure for prediction of body fat percentage (BF%) is Body Mass Index (BMI). Direct measurement of body fat requires sophisticated equipment and is time consuming, it is also difficult in epidemiological studies. Excessive body fat is associated with increased metabolic risk, and its’ measurement is important in implementing curative and preventive health measures. During the last few decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased and has become a considerable global health hazard. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body that may impair health. Our findings support the importance of taking age and gender in to consideration when using BMI to predict body fat percentage/obesity, in a population. This relationship was curvilinear in nature and was significantly influenced by age and gender. ConclusionsīMI strongly correlate with BF % estimated by bioelectrical impedance, in this sub population of South Asian adults. In both genders, with increase of age, BMI seemed to increase in curvilinear fashion, whereas BF% increased in a linear fashion. Regression line found to be curvilinear in nature at higher BMI values where females (p < 0.000) having a better fit of the curve compared to males (p < 0.05). Effect of age and gender in the BMI-BF% relationship was significant (p < 0.001) with more effect from gender. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI-BF%, in males ( r =0.75, p < 0.01 SEE = 4.17) and in females ( r = 0.82, p < 0.01 SEE = 3.54) of all ages. The study sample represented a wide range of BMI values (14.8-41.1 kg/m 2,Mean 23.8 ± 4.2 kg/m 2). Out of 1114 participants, 49.1% were males. The relationships between age-BMI, age-BF % were separately assessed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of age and gender in the relationship and polynomial regression was carried out to see its’ linearity. Pearsons’ correlation coefficient( r) was calculated to see the relationship between BMI-BF% in the different age groups. BF% was estimated from bioelectrical impedance analysis. MethodsĪ cross sectional study was conducted, where adults of 18–83 years were grouped into young (18–39 years) middle aged (40–59 years) and elderly (>60 years). We examined the influence of age, gender in this relationship and assessed its’ linearity or curvilinearity. We aimed to study the BMI–BF% relationship, in a group of South Asian adults who have a different body composition compared to presently studied ethnic groups. The relationship between BMI and body fat percentage (BF %) has been studied in various ethnic groups to estimate the capacity of BMI to predict adiposity. ![]() It is used as the same for both sexes and for all ages of adults. Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as a useful population-level measure of overweight and obesity.
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