Abstract:

Background: Body composition is a critical determinant of health, influencing physical fitness, disease risk, and medical dosing. However, standard reference values for body composition may not be universally applicable due to variations across ethnic groups. In Tanzania, there is a lack of data on body composition specific to the local population, which may lead to inaccurate health assessments and medical interventions.

Objective: This study aims to compare body composition values among healthy undergraduate students at the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) in Mwanza, Tanzania, with standard reference values. The research seeks to explore whether significant differences exist that could impact the accuracy of medical dosing and the effectiveness of health interventions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among CUHAS undergraduate students, where body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The data were then compared to standard reference values to assess variations. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significance of these differences.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate notable variations in body composition between the CUHAS student population and standard reference values. Specifically, differences were observed in body fat percentage and lean body mass distribution, with potential implications for health risk assessments and medical dosing.

Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of considering ethnic differences in body composition when using standard reference values. The findings suggest that tailored reference values may be necessary for more accurate health assessments and interventions in the Tanzanian population. Further research is recommended to establish localized reference standards and to explore the implications of these differences on clinical outcomes.