The association between percentage body fat, anthropometric measurements and serum lipids in adults

Serum lipids are affected by age, sex, menopause, obesity and life style. Anthropometric measurements are used frequently to determine the body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a new technology, used to assess the percentage body fat (PBF). The objectives of this study are to evaluate the association between PBF, anthropometric measurements and serum lipids, and to determine the successfulness of PBF and anthropometric measurements on prediction of elevated serum lipids in men and women. In this cross sectional study, in order to determine the weak association (r=0.10) between PBF and serum lipids, within 5% precision and 95% CI, at least 854 participants should be evaluated. No sampling had been done, where all of the participants of the Heart of Balcova (BAK) Project in Teleferik district were affiliated. The variables are serum lipids, socio-demographic variables, life style habits, health history, PBF and anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, waist height ratio). Data collection was structured in two stages, first at home and then in Teleferik Semtevi. In total 974 participants were analyzed. Among participants obesity is very frequent. Mean total cholesterol and LDL-C values are above the desired levels. In men, PBF and anthropometric measurements are associated with HDL-C. In women the association between PBF and anthropometric measurements with HDL-C and triglyceride is stronger than men. In men, PBF and anthropometric measurements are not successful in predicting elevated serum lipids where in women PBF and anthropometric measurements are much more successful in predicting elevated serum lipids. The successfulness of PBF on prediction of elevated serum lipids is similar to the anthropometric measurements.