Association of Selected Anthropometric Variables of Body Shape with Selected Haematological Indices and Serum Oestradiol, Testosterone Levels in Young Ghanaian Females

Quaye, Benedicta and Addai, Frederick Kwaku (2023) Association of Selected Anthropometric Variables of Body Shape with Selected Haematological Indices and Serum Oestradiol, Testosterone Levels in Young Ghanaian Females. Developmental Dynamics, 252 (7). ISSN 1058-8388

Abstract

Introduction: Oestradiol in females of reproductive age influences fat deposition in the bust, waist, and gluteofemoral regions to determine their primary body shape. Female body shape may be described as banana, pear, apple, and hourglass. Besides body shape determination oestradiol may provide a cue to the risk of cardiovascular disease events and/or diabetes due to its influence on the area-specific fat deposition. Pertinently, our study set out to investigated association of anthropometric variables of body shape and thirteen haematological indices with serum levels of oestradiol and testosterone in ovulating women. Method: By purposive sampling, this cross-sectional study involved 75 consenting females aged 18-25 years. The study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the University of Ghana College of Health Sciences and adhered to local and international guidelines on ethical considerations of research involving human subjects. Subjects completed questionnaires to affirm their indigenous Ghanaian ancestry. Each Subject was assessed in privacy, wore non-padded brassiere and tight under pants during measurement of bust, waist, and hip circumferences using a non-stretchable tape. The nipples, navel, and greater trochanters were the reference points for measurements of bust, waist and hip respectively. Height (in meters) and weight (in kilograms) were measured using a stadiometer when subjects were bare-footed and wore light clothing. Anthropometric variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were derived. An automated hematology analyzer was used to determine 13 haematological indices including white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), Lymphocytes, hemoglobin and red cell distribution width (RDW). Oestrogen and testosterone levels were determined from sera obtained during ovulatory period using commercially procured ELIZA kit (wavelength reading = 450 nm). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Statistical methods employed were Pearson's product-moment correlation, multivariate model, and ANOVA. Results: Significant bust circumference (p=0.036) and WHR (p=0.001) distinguished banana and pear-shaped subjects. An inverse correlation (-0.32) was found between height and level of testosterone (p = 0.014); thus, shorter women had higher serum testosterone levels. No significant variation of oestradiol occurred with any of the eight anthropometric variables studied. Testosterone correlated inversely (-0.30) with total RBC count (P = 0.02); and directly with RDW [r=0.26, p=0.05]. Oestradiol showed inverse correlation (-0.30) with lymphocyte count (p = 0.02). In terms of trend, hourglass body shape had highest serum oestradiol, followed by pear, apple, and banana shape. Conversely, banana shape had the highest serum testosterone, followed by apple, pear and hourglass shape. Conclusion and significance: Contrary to expectations, testosterone showed statistical associations with more of the studied variables of anthropometry and haematological profiles. Inferentially, even in females testosterone rather than oestradiol is associated with anthropometry and haematopoietic variables. and haematopoietic variables. This resonates with evidence that testosterone is the most abundant active sex steroid throughout a female's lifespan. Future studies to determine how body shape may predispose to cardiovascular disease or diabetes are highly recommended.