Anthropometric status of Oromo women of childbearing age in rural south western Ethiopia

Abstract: A community based, cross-sectional survey was undertaken on the anthropometric status of Oromo, non-pregnant women of childbearing age in the Kersa subdistrict of Southwestern Ethiopia. The main purpose of this investigation was to determine normative anthropometric standards in women of childbearing age. Interviews and anthropometric measurements were completed on 473 non-pregnant women randomly selected and stratified by five year age categories from eight peasant associations. The mean (SD) weight was found to be 46.9(5.3)kg, with 75% weighing less than 50 kg. Women’s height averaged 155.5 cm with nearly 20% under 150 cm. The mean (SD) BMI was 19.4 (1.9) kg/m2 and 35% of the women had a BMI lower than 18.5 kg/m2. Means for all anthropometric measurements fell below the 10th percentile of the standard NCHS reference for black women. All anthropometric outcomes were stable across age categories. The relation between these anthropometric measures and adverse health outcomes will require validation. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1997;11(3):1-7