Body Mass Index (Bmi) Of Adults Hausa-Fulani In Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The accuracy of Body Mass Index (BMI) in relation to actual levels of body fat is easily distorted by such factors as fitness level, muscle mass, bone structure, gender and ethnicity.
Design: A prospective study of the BMI of apparently healthy adults Hausa-Fulani subjects was undertaken in Sokoto metropolis.
Methodology: A random sampling method was used to select volunteers whose BMI was studied from March to June 2007. Health-O-Meter Scale (Balance Beam) and Stature Measurement Board were used to measure the weight and height respectively. The weight of every volunteer was scaled according to his/her height.
Results: A total of 400 subjects were involved in this study. Of this figure, 288 (72%) were males, and 112 (28%) were females (m: f ratio =2.6:1). The range of measurement of BMI for all the subjects used in the study was 1I-68kg/m2. The lower boundary of BMI for males (11 kg/m2) found in this study was lower than that for females (15 kg/m2). The upper boundary of BMI obtained for males (34 kg/m2), again, was lower than that of females (68 kg/m2). The mean BMI obtained for all the subjects was 21.13 kg/m2 ±4.37). However, the mean BMI for males (20.68 kg/m2 ±3.57) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that obtained for females (22.28 kg/m2 ±5.81). Conclusion: From this study it is concluded that the BMI of adult male Hausa-Fulani in northwestern Nigeria is significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of their female counterparts.


Keywords: Body mass index, Adults, Hausa- Fulani, Northwestern Nigeria

Sahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (4) 2007: pp. 119-122