Body fat and lipid parameters of management assistants in a rural area in Sri Lanka

Background Fat in certain body compartments has a significant contribution to dyslipidemia. Objective The objective was to determine the fat distribution in various body compartments among management assistants (clerks: sedentary occupational group), from the Anuradhapura Municipal Council area, Sri Lanka and to estimate their lipid profiles for any correlation with fat distribution. Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study [n=78; males=15(mean age=38(11) years); females=63 (mean age=39(9) years)], weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured using standard WHO methods. Body fat was measured using 8 electrode bio impedance analyzer system (HBF375 Karada Scan, Japan). Lipid profile was estimated using colorimetric assay kit methods. Results According to the BMI, 57% of females were obese and 13% were overweight, and 67% of males were obese and 20% were overweight. Abdominal obesity [WC>90cm males; >80cm females] was present in 73% of males and 81% of females. Based on total BF% (males>25%; females>35%-obese), 73% males and 65% females were obese. Twenty nine percent of females and 73% of males had a high visceral fat percentage (>10%). Among the females, 68%, 17%, 92% and among males, 73%, 27%, 80% had hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and high LDL levels, respectively. Low HDL levels were observed in 47% of males and 68% of females. Conicity index (CI) and body adiposity index (BAI) were at high risk level in 93% of males and 75% of females and 27% of males and 56% of females, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity was high among the individuals of the study group and a majority were  unaware that they were dyslipidemic.