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Recent studies have shown that waist circumference (WC) is the best simple
anthropometric index of abdominal obesity and the best index for predicting
cardiovascular risks. Changes in diet and lifestyle have a great impact on obesity
and obesity related disease risks. Hence, the present study aimed to assess the
association between dietary habits and waist circumference in a female population.
A cross-sectional study was conducted separately at Hungama and HiththatiyaMiddle Grama Niladhari areas in the southern province of Sri Lanka. Healthy
females between 20-50 years of age were selected by systematic random sampling
method. 152 participants were selected from each grama niladhari area. Waist
circumference was measured for each individual. The cut-off point for waist
circumference value for South Asian women is 80 cm (WHO, 2008). Central
obesity is defined as waist circumference > 80 cm for South Asian women
according to the data of World Health Organization (WHO, 1997). An interviewer
administered questionnaire was used to assess dietary patterns. The results showed a
statistically significant difference between consumption of some food types and WC
in the total population. Consumption of red meat, white meat, fish, grain, leaves,
fruits, milk, plain tea, yogurt, egg and fast food did not show a significant difference
with WC in the total population, according to Pearson Chi-Square test. There is a
statistically significant difference between the WC and consumption of red raw rice
(p= 0.033), white raw rice (p= 0.048), potato (p= 0.002) and coconut oil (p=0.049)
in the total population. WC shows a positive relationship with red raw rice, white
raw rice, coconut oil and potato. Prevalence of abdominal obesity in the total
population is 47.06%.
