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Body mass index and fat percentage in adults Ecuadorian indigenous Awá

Abstract:

This cross-sectional study assessed the nutritional status of 120 Ecuadorian indigenous adults Awá to determine the correlation between BMI and body fat percentage estimated by bioelectrical impedance, as well as to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of BMI to detect excess body fat percentage in this population. Mean BMI was 23.81 ± 1.95 kg / m2 in men and 23.58 ± 1.95 kg / m2 in women, and mean body fat percentage was 11.4 ± 5.9 in men and 19.97 ± 7.19 in women. A significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and body fat percentage in men (r=0.54, p<0.01) and in women (r=0.72, p<0.01). There was also a significant positive correlation in groups of 18-40 years (r=0.79, p<0.01) and 40-59 years (r=0.49, p<0.01), while in older than 60 years the correlation was positive but not significant (r=0.50, p=0.97). There was significant correlation in the group considered healthy by fat percentage (r=0.54, p<0.001), but there was no significant correlation in under fat and over fat groups (r=0.07 p=0.57, r=0.38 p=0.31 respectively). BMI =25 kg/m2 showed a sensitivity of 90%, specificity 75% and an area under the curve of 0.88 (95% CI from 0.81 to 0,95) to detect excess body fat. In conclusion, although the use of BMI as a pbkp_redictor of excess fat is justified in this population, it is necessary to conduct more studies to develop additional indicators for assessing the nutritional status of in more comprehensive way, not only focused on overweight and obesity.