Okereke C.E., Anyaehie U.B., Dim C.C., Iyare E.E., Nwagha U.I.
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu campus (UNEC), Enugu, Nigeria; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Physiology, College of Medicine UNEC, Enugu, Nigeria
Okereke, C.E., Department of Physiology, College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu campus (UNEC), Enugu, Nigeria; Anyaehie, U.B., Department of Physiology, College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu campus (UNEC), Enugu, Nigeria; Dim, C.C., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Physiology, College of Medicine UNEC, Enugu, Nigeria; Iyare, E.E., Department of Physiology, College of Medicine University of Nigeria Enugu campus (UNEC), Enugu, Nigeria; Nwagha, U.I., Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Physiology, College of Medicine UNEC, Enugu, Nigeria
Background: Obesity in pregnancy is a global health problem which is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. The use of weight and height, measured at about ten weeks of gestation, to produce pre-gestational body mass index is recommended for the diagnoses of the condition but limitations abound in under resourced settings. Objectives: To measure anthropometric indices such as mid upper arm circumference, calf circumference, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio, for identification of obesity in pregnancy. Methods: Anthropometric measurements were carried out on cohorts of pregnant women from 4 hospitals in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria. Results: There were no significant difference in the mean mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) across the trimester groups. The mean values of waist circumferences, hip circumference and waist to hip ratios changed significantly across the trimesters. The 75th percentile of MUAC (33 cm) and CC (39 cm) in all trimesters, had sensitivity and specificity of more than 70% for identifying obesity in pregnancy. Conclusion: MUAC and CC values of 33cm and 39cm respectively might be reliable cut off points for diagnoses of obesity throughout pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria.
adolescent; adult; anatomy and histology; anthropometry; arm; body composition; body mass; cross-sectional study; evaluation study; female; human; Nigeria; obesity; pregnancy; procedures; sensitivity and specificity; waist circumference; waist hip ratio; young adult; Adolescent; Adult; Anthropometry; Arm; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Nigeria; Obesity; Pregnancy; Sensitivity and Specificity; Waist Circumference; Waist-Hip Ratio; Young Adult