DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF WEIGHT AND HEIGHT REFERENCE STANDARD FOR YOUNG ADULTS (18-24yrs) IN IBADAN , NIGERIA .

The extent and severity of malnutrition in a study population cannot be estimated unless it is compared with a reference standard accepted as normal. While international reference standard exists, it has been suggested that locally generated norms would be more realistic and appropriate, especially in adults where great variations in stature among nations exist. This study was undertaken to develop a table of reference standard for weight and height for young adults in Nigeria . Data were obtained from two thousand, six hundred and sixty-five (2,665) Nigerians aged between 18 and 25years. Weight and height data from the well-nourished using the body mass index (BMI 18.5-24.9) were used to develop predictive models/equations using regression analysis. These regression models were used to generate a table of reference standard for weight and height for young adult Nigerians. This table of reference was evaluated using another set of data generated from the same locality. The sensitivity and specificity of the table was 100%. This table of reference standard therefore provides norms for weight and height of well-nourished adult Nigerians in Ibadan . It is also user-friendly since it obviates the calculations involved in body mass index.