Relationship between BMI and other obesity risk indicators in university students

To compare the BMI classification with that of Waist Circumference (WC), Hip Circunference Index (HCI), Waist Height Index (WHI) and Weight-Waist Circunference Index (WWHI), as indicators of obesity risk in university students. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective and correlational study. Intentional sample of 97 students, 28,87% male and 71,13% female, the variables sex, age, weight, height, WC, Hip Circumference (HC) were measured to obtain the BMI indicators, Waist- Height Index (WHI), Hip Circumference Index (HCI) and WWHI. Except for age, ICT, male university students have higher averages; the means of the other variables were statistically significant (p < 0,005). WC and CCad have a high correlation (r = 0,72), and with BMI (r = 0,84 vs 0,.84); Waist circumference correlates better with weight than with hip circumference (0,94 vs 0,81). The WWHI correlates with Weight (0,83) and Height (0,52); it is not independent of BMI (chi(2)=0,71; p < 0,02); there is an association between nutritional status and physical activity (chi 2 = 6,42 and p > 0,05). 71,1% perform moderate or vigorous physical activity, a higher percentage in men (82,1%) and less in women (66,7%), this activity is not independent of sex (p<0,005); 55,7% are from stratum II and 16,5% are from stratum III; 64,9%) have a history of high cholesterol, 6,2% a history of smoking habits and 5,2% of arterial hypertension. In conclusion, they belong to high strata, practice physical activity, 27,9% are overweight/obese, according to CC, CCad, ICT and ICC low percentage of risk, and for the IPCC there is a significant difference in risk by sex (p<0,001). Conclusion: They belong to high strata, practice physical activity, 27,9% are overweight/obese, according to WC, HC, WHI and HCI low percentage of risk, and for the WWHI there is a significant difference in risk by sex (p<0,001).