Relationship between elbow carrying angle and body mass index among the hausa ethnic population in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The carrying angle of the elbow joint holds significant clinical importance in orthopaedic intervention, upper-limb prosthesis design, elbow reconstructive surgeries, and forensic investigations, where it serves as an additional physical parameter for gender differentiation. This study aimed to examine the relationship between elbow carrying angle and Body Mass Index (BMI) among the Hausa ethnic population of Zamfara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 600 participants (299 males and 301 females) aged 18–28 years was conducted using a stratified random sampling technique. The elbow carrying angle was measured using a manual goniometer following a standardised three-landmark procedure. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between elbow carrying angle and BMI in males (r < 0.1, p > 0.05), but a weak positive correlation in females (r = 0.1–0.3, p ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest sex-specific biomechanical adaptations, with BMI potentially influencing joint alignment in females. The study contributes population-specific anthropometric data with implications for clinical practice in this region.