The Pattern of fat distribution (waist to hip ratio) and body mass index among high school adolescents in Ilam

Adolescence is a critical period of growth and is influenced by different variables. The relationship between obesity in adolescence and some metabolic disorders has been reported by many studies. This study was carried out to determine the pattern of fat distribution among high school adolescents in Ilam city in 2013.

In this cross-sectional study, 583 high school students were selected through a dedicated multi-stage stratified random sampling method. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured and body mass index (BMI) and weight to hip ratio (WHR) were also calculated.

The prevalence of being overweight, overall obesity and abdominal obesity were 21.8 %, 0.7 %, and 39.8%, respectively. Age of the students under study showed significant positive and negative correlations with BMI and WHR, respectively (P<0.001).

Results of this study showed that adolescents are increasingly facing the risk of obesity and being overweight. Therefore, monitoring the health, nutrition, nutrition education, improved knowledge and sporting might help to improve this age group’s health and prevent many chronic diseases in adolescents.