Correlation of hand dynamometry with BMI and WHR in medical students

摘要

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between hand grip strength and anthropometric measures including waist hip ratio and body mass index in medical students. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted in the department of physiology LNH&MC.  A total of 109 medical students studying in 1st and 2nd year MBBS were evaluated and 91 who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Anthropometric variables including weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumferences and waist hip ratio were taken. Right and left handgrip strength was measured by standard anthropometric techniques. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for numeric data. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean of two groups. To find out the correlation between hand grip vs BMI and WHR, Pearson correlation coefficient was applied. Results: 32(35%) male and 59(65%) female students participated in the study. Significant mean difference was found for height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, right hand grip and left hand grip with both genders. Significant and positive correlation was observed for right hand grip in male students with weight, height and waist hip ratio while in female students, significant and positive correlation was observed only with height. Conclusion: It may be concluded that dominant handgrip strength had positive correlations with some of the variables studied in medical students.Key words: hand dynamometry, medical students, BMI, WHR