Estimation of Body Mass Index from Radiogrammetric Analysis of the Humerus and Femur of a Yoruba Population

Nigeria is currently facing severe security challenges, often resulting in dismembered bodies that are difficult to identify due to limited relevant data and guiding research. This study evaluated the radiogrammetric features of the femur and humerus to estimate Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Yoruba population. It specifically sought to obtain linear and angular measurements from radiographic images and assess their correlation with BMI. A total of 195 Yoruba participants (61 males and 134 females), aged 21 to 65 years, were recruited from the Radiology Department of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, using a purposive convenience sampling technique. Digital radiographic linear and angular measurements of the proximal humerus and femur of subjects were obtained using Radiant DICOM viewer (2025c). Subjects’ weights and heights were recorded to calculate BMI. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 29), and Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between bone measurements and BMI. The results revealed that the correlations between the bone measurements and BMI were generally weak, negative, or average. The study concluded that radiogrammetric analysis of the femur and humerus is not significantly reliable for BMI estimation in the Yoruba population of Nigeria, even though it had proven useful in some other ethnic groups for profiling.

Key Words: radiogrammetry, femur, humerus, BMI, Yoruba