INCIDENCE OF OBESITY AND ITS PREDISPOSITION TO METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS

The incidence of obesity was studied in three-hundred and five (305) female subjects in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the age groups 16-18 years, 19-21 years, 22-24 years and 25-27 years using two anthropometric indices of obesity: body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). A short structured questionnaire was administered to the subjects to elicit information on personal data, physical activity, lifestyle and family history. 

Metabolic syndrome was assessed in one hundred and thirty nine subjects of the total population using the NCEP: ATPIII/IDF 2001 criteria for individuals sixteen years (16 years) and older. Of the subjects in the total population, 5.2% were obese measured by BMI and 10.3% obese as measured by WC. Mean values were found to be higher in age groups 22-24 years and 25-27 years (BMI: 34.04 ± 3.30, 40.14 ± 0) (WC: 96.77 ± 7.32, 96.00 ± 11.31). 

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found to be 5.7% and all subjects with the syndrome were centrally obese. Low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level had the highest prevalence (90.6%) of the individual components of the metabolic syndrome. Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between WC and BMI, WC and blood pressure (BP) and a negative but insignificant correlation between WC and HDL-C. Family history had a significant effect (P=0.00) on the BMI and WC of the subjects but there was a non-significant effect of subject’s lifestyle on BMI and WC. The results of this study showed that obesity is not just prevalent among the study population but also a predisposing factor to metabolic syndrome.