Development of a preliminary regression equation for estimating the weight of Black South African paraplegic males using anthropometric measurements, Tshwane, South Africa

Abstract

Objective: To develop a regression equation to estimate the weight of Black male paraplegic South African subjects. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Outpatient paraplegic clinic of Kalafong Hospital, Tshwane, South Africa. Subjects: Subjects (n=43) were selected from a population of Black paraplegic males attending the clinic. Outcome Measures: The following measurements were obtained in triplicate from the consenting subjects: weight, waist circumference, calf circumference, chest circumference, neck circumference, mid upper-arm circumference (MUAC), supine length, upper-arm length and wrist circumference. The age of the subject, time elapsed since injury, level of injury and level of spasticity were recorded. Results: Body weight correlated significantly with waist circumference, calf circumference, chest circumference, mid upper-arm circumference and neck circumference with respective Pearson correlation coefficient values (R) of 0.85 or higher and significant levels (p values) of p < 0.0001. A regression equation to estimate weight was chosen on the basis of strength and practicality and included the following variables: circumferences of the calf, chest, and neck as well as the supine length. The regression equation was significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: A regression equation was developed which could be used, when further validated, to estimate the weight of Black South African paraplegic males.