Darlington N. Onyejike1,2, Ifeoma F. Okwuonu3, Anita K. Chukwuma1, Albert T. Nwamaradi4, Chinenye B. Amaonye5, Ambrose E. Agulanna1, Chinenye G. Ojemeni1, Dominic C. Ejiofor6, Oghenefego M. Adheke7
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra state, Nigeria
2Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
3Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
4Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
5Department of Educational Management and Policy, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
6Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Nigeria
7Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria
Anthropometric Correlates of Menstrual Disorders in Women Attending a Fertility Clinic in Southeast Nigeria
J. Anthr. Sport Phys. Educ. 2026, 10(1), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/jaspe.260105
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the association between anthropometric parameters—body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)—and menstrual disorders (oligomenorrhea, menorrhagia, and amenorrhea) among women attending the Fertility Clinic at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria. We employed random sampling to select 200 women aged 17 to 43 years who had no underlying medical conditions known to affect menstrual cycles. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire that gathered demographic information, menstrual history, and anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Results of the analysis showed a strong positive correlation between oligomenorrhea and BMI (r = 0.445, p = 0.001), WHR (r = 0.207, p = 0.003), and WHtR (r = 0.440, p = 0.001). However, no significant correlations were found between menorrhagia and BMI (r = -0.035, p = 0.618), WHR (r = -0.010, p = 0.890), or WHtR (r = -0.008, p = 0.912). Age was weakly correlated with oligomenorrhea (p = 0.084) and menorrhagia (p = 0.104), but these associations were not statistically significant. Notably, there were no reported cases of amenorrhea among participants. The f indings indicated that higher BMI is likely a risk factor for oligomenorrhea, whereas age does not significantly impact the likelihood of experiencing either oligomenorrhea or menorrhagia. Additionally, amenorrhea was not observed in this population.
Keywords
BMI, Menstrual disorders, Menstrual irregularities, Obesity, Young women
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