RELATIONSHIP OF BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS WITH WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE, HIP CIRCUMFERENCE AND WAIST-HIP RATIO AMONG RURAL ADULTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Objective

Anthropometric measurements such as waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio give risk information on diabetes mellitus. However, there are mixed reports on the relationship of these anthropometric indexes with the levels of glucose in the blood. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between random blood glucose levels with waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio among rural adults in Nigeria.        

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study of 750 subjects aged ≥15years using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Subjects were measured for waist circumference and hip circumference; the waist-hip ratio was calculated. Blood samples of subjects were used for the estimation of blood glucose concentration using the glucose oxidase method of Trinder

Results

Subjects consisted of 385(51.3percent) males and 365(48.7percent) females (male: female= 1.05:1). The mean age was 39.42±16.17years (males 35.23±14.09years and females 43.83±17.04years; t=7.55, p<0.001). The mean Random Plasma glucose level (RPGL) was 5.68(±2.16) mmol/L [males 5.69(±2.42)mmol/L and females 5.67(±1.86) mmol/L, t=0.11, P=0.91]. The range (median) of the waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio of the subjects were 52-115cm (83cm), 60-130cm (93cm) and 0.59-0.99 (0.89) respectively. There were positive relationship between blood glucose levels with waist circumference (r=0.1, P=0.004) and waist-hip ratio (r=0.1, P=0.002).  There was no relationship between blood glucose levels and hip circumference (r=0.0, P=0.13).

 

Conclusion

 We found positive relationship between the random blood glucose levels with waist circumference and waist-hip ratio in this study. Therefore, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio would be good predictors of diabetes mellitus among rural adults. 

KEY WORDS:

             Rural; Blood; Adults; Glucose; Waist; Hip; Circumference