Abstract:

The fact that the methods used in the diagnosis of obesity have different results cause controversy about which method to use in the diagnosis of obesity. In this study, it is aimed to compare the body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio methods used in the diagnosis of obesity among themselves. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference measurements were taken from 201 female and 205 male students. Obesity rate of female individuals is 4.5% and 6.4% of men according to body mass index. According to waist circumference, obesity rate of female individuals is 3%, and male is 2.4%. Obesity rate of female individuals is 1% and 4.4% of men according to waist-to-hip ratio. The findings were compared statistically and according to this, a significant difference was found between the sexes in terms of obesity rates (p<0.05). As a result of statistical comparison of the three methods, a significant difference was found between them (p<0.05). As a result of the findings, it is recommended to evaluate at least two methods in the diagnosis of obesity. Waist hip ratio was found to be insufficient to diagnose obesity in women. In men, waist hip ratio is seen that only shows the rates of abdominal obesity and gives misleading information about the general obesity rate. For this reason, the data obtained with the body mass index must be supported by waist circumference measurement. It is thought that diagnosing individuals with obesity will not yield accurate results based on a single method.

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