Relationship Between the Body Fat Percentage and Anthropometric Measurements in Athletes Compared with Non-Athletes

Abstract

Background: Different indices have been introduced to assess the anthropometric status and body composition. Objectives: This study was conducted to compare anthropometric indices in male and female athletes and non-athletes. Methods: This cross sectional study has been conducted on 529 (324 men and 205 women) athletes (age, 32.8 ± 9.2 years) and 840 (457 men and 383 women) non-athletes (age, 33.9 ± 10.4 years) in fitness clubs in Ahvaz city. Individuals were selected by cluster sampling. Weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and body surface area were measured. The relationship between anthropometric indices with body fat percentage was studied. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Normality of the data was assessed by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. To compare variables between the two groups, the t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used. The relationship between anthropometric indices was assessed by linear regression. Results: Waist-to-hip ratio in male athletes and non-athletes had the most correlation with body fat percentage (r = 0.821 and r = 0.889, respectively). Body mass index in female athletes and non-athletes had the most correlation with percentage of body fat (r = 0.780 and r = 0.863, respectively). Conclusions: The results of this study show that the use of appropriate anthropometric indicators can be influenced by gender and physical activity (athletes or non-athletes).