Ankara Üniversitesi Dil ve Tarih-Coğrafya Fakültesi Dergisi (Jan 2017)
Assessment of Nutritional Status Using Anthropometric Measurements in Turkish Adults
Abstract
Nutritional status is one of the most important indicators that help to elaborate public health, as well as socio-economic status. Based on this point to determine the nutritional status of the Turkish adult population (ages between 18-59 years), in accordance with the International Biological Program, height, weight, biceps circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness measurements were collected from 1215 healthy adults (703 males and 512 females). The upper arm muscle and fat areas, and body mass index were calculated. Protein and fat reserves of individuals were evaluated and, in accordance with the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria low weight, overweight and obesity status were determined. According to the study results male height was found to be 174 cm and weight 78 kg, and for females 159 cm and 67 kg, respectively. All variables were statistically significant in terms of sexes, and this result is expected due to the high sexual dimorphism in our country. Both male and female upper arm muscle areas (AMA) are consistent with age, whereas the upper arm fat area (AFA) values tend to increase with age. Low-weight ratio was very low among the sample however, overweight ratio were found 48% for males, and 36% for females. In terms of obesity, females (22%) showed higher values compared to the males (9%). In conclusion, the prevalence of high risk that have found in the present study for both sexes should be handled with care, and coronary heart disease, hypertension, some types of cancer and many chronic diseases like diabetes that known with the relationship of high body fatness should follow with comprehensive anthropometric studies.
