Gender specificity in detecting obesity with bioelectrical impedance analysis machine

Introduction: The variables such as body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), and waist to hip ratio (WHR) are widely used for the evaluation of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study is to investigate the gender specificity for detecting the degree of obesity using BMI, PBF, and WHR as variables. Materials and Methods: The data on the obesity variables were analyzed in 3224 samples (male - 2091, female - 1133). The data were collected retrospectively from fab fitness to muscle and mind gymnasiums in Mumbai. The mean age of the subjects was 28.82 years for males and 31.13 years for females. The WHR, BMI, and PBF were recorded using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in body 230 machine. Results: There was a significant correlation in females between BMI and WHR ( r 2 = 0.809), BMI and PBF ( r 2 = 0.78), but no correlation was found between PBF and WHR ( r 2 = 0.65). However, in the male population, WHR and PBF were found to be correlated ( r 2 = 0.762), but no correlation was found between BMI and WHR ( r 2 = 0.69) and BMI and PBF ( r 2 = 0.51). Conclusion: In females, WHR, BMI, and PBF were correlated. However, in males, WHR and PBF were important in the evaluation of obesity. Hence, it is concluded that evaluation of obesity appears to be gender specific, and therefore obesity measurement should be done with the proper selection of variables and procedures.