Health Assessment of the Ikwerres and Okrikas Ethnic Group of Rivers State, Nigeria: Using Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Background: Body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), are acceptable indicators in accessing health status that are used to assess cardiometabolic disorders and to predict future health risks. The aim of the study assesses the health status of Ikwerres and Okrikas ethnic groups using BMI and WHR.

Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design where it comprises of 300 respondents (139 females and 161 males) between the age of 18-37 years were randomly selected. BMI was deduced from the division of body weight by the square root of standing height and WHR by direct division of waist circumference and hip circumference.

Results: A study of 300 subjects from Ikwerre and Okrika ethnic groups in Rivers State found that 11.8% were underweight, 76.4% normal weight, 7.5% overweight, and 4.3% obese in males. The association of BMI was significant with gender differences, and the waist-to-hip ratio showed that 69.6% of males were within the normal range. BMI and waist-to-hip ratio are significant.

Conclusion: BMI shows gender differences and the association between BMI and WHR is significant.