Anthropometric Measures for Predicting the Risk of Hypertension in Young Adults: Insights from a Representative Population

• Published in: National Board of Examinations Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 2; no. 4; pp. 389 - 399
• Main Authors: DH, Kanyakumari, KG, Rudramurthy, Kadli, Suresh U, Rangareddy, Harish
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Board of Examinations 01.04.2024
• Subjects: body mass index; hypertension; waist-hip ratio; waist-to-height ratio
• ISSN: 2583-7524; 2583-7524
• DOI: 10.61770/NBEJMS.2024.v02.i04.011

Background: Obesity is linked to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise, elevating the risk of hypertension. Elevated blood pressure and a higher risk of hypertension are linked to an increased BMI. Lifestyle changes in adults, like inactivity and poor diet, contribute to the rise in cardiovascular diseases among younger people. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship in a young adult population between Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Body Mass Index (BMI), Relative Fat Mass (RFM), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WH ratio), and Waist-to-Height ratio (WHtR). Additionally, the study objective was to determine the predictive value of BMI and RFM for hypertension in young adults. Methods: Participants were selected using opportunistic sampling of medical students presenting for the Physiology practical as a representative sample of young adults in this cross-sectional study. The anthropometric measurements of BMI, RFM, WH ratio, and WHtR were measured and compared between subjects with MAP≤90 mmHg and MAP>90 mmHg. Results: The chi-square test revealed a strong association between obesity and elevated mean arterial pressure (>90 mmHg). Employing a BMI cut-off (>25kg/m2) demonstrated 67.74% sensitivity and 77.78% specificity for hypertension detection, while RFM (cut-off 36.6) exhibited 52.17% sensitivity and 64.52% specificity. There was a significant positive correlation of BMI with MAP (r = 0.408, p < 0.001) and a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The effectiveness of BMI and WHtR in our study underscore the significance of multiple anthropometric indices for comprehensive obesity and cardiovascular risk assessment. Future prospective studies play a crucial role in uncovering the clinical importance of modern anthropometric measurements and biomarkers, providing valuable information to improve tools for assessing obesity and accurately representing public health.