2.4. Somaticmeasurements and Body Compositionevaluation

Body height was measured to the nearest 1 mm using a stadiometer (Seca 217, Hamburg, Germany).

Body mass (BM) was measured while standing in underwear (Jawon IOI-353 Body composition Analyzer, Gyeongsa, Korea).

Circumference was measured in a standing position to the nearest 1 mm, placing an anthropometric tape (Seca 201, Hamburg, Germany) perpendicular to the vertical axis of the body. Waist circumference (WC) was measured at the narrowest point between the lower edge of the costal arches and the highest point of the iliac crests. Abdominal circumference (AC) was measured approximately 1 cm below the navel. Hip circumference (HC) was measured above the buttocks at the widest point around the greater trochanter, making sure not to be lower than the pubic symphysis. Waist and abdominal circumferences were measured at the end of calm exhalation.

Skin fold thickness was measured in a standing position using the calliper method to the nearest 0.1 mm (Harpenden skinfold calliper, Burgess Hill, UK) on the abdomen, at the lower angle of the scapula and above the triceps muscle of the upper limb.

All measurements of circumferences and skin fold thickness were taken 3 times by the same person with extensive experience, always using the same anthropometric tape and the same calliper. In the analysis, the average of the two closest results was taken into account.

Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (GE Healthcare Lunar iDXA, Madison, WI, USA) which, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, was calibrated each day before the series of measurements. During the measurement, the women wore clothes that did not restrict the waist area (cotton sleeveless top and shorts), and were asked to remove plastic, rubber, metal objects and jewellery. The examination was performed in supine, immobile position, with the upper limbs extended along the body, the palms of the hands pointing towards the thighs. During the examination, segmental assessment of body composition was performed.

For each of the participants, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) and Waist-Height Ratio were calculated according to the formulae: