Abstract
Original Article
Introduction
Every individual needs a certain amount of body fat for
energy, heat insulation, and shock absorption. However,
excessive deposition of fat in the body, which is usually
referred to as overweight or obesity, has been found to be
medically deleterious to the body. Overweight specifically
refers to an excess body weight compared to set standards,
while obesity is to have an abnormally high proportion of
total body fat.[1]
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has
accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect
on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased
health problems.[2] Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular
disease that affects blood and its overall efficiency in the heart,
vessels, and brain. In 2013, the American Medical Association
re?emphasized the classification obesity as a disease, and not just
a risk factor to other diseases as it fits into the medical criteria of
a disease, such as impairing body function,[3] for the purpose of
advancing the prevention and treatment required as applicable to
other ill health and reduce its stigma of much food consumption.
Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI) and further
evaluated in terms of fat distribution via the waist ? to?hip
ratio (WHR) and total cardiovascular risk factors. Maternal
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.