Ellisras Longitudinal Study 2017 : the relationship between waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, skinfolds and blood pressure among young adults in Ellisras, South Africa (ELS 14)

• Published in: Cardiovascular Journal of Africa Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 24 - 28
• Main Authors: Monyeki, K.D., Toriola, A.L., Sebati, R.B., Monyeki, M.J.L., Motloutsi, B., Monyeki, M.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa Clinics Cardive Publishing 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Adults; Central obesity; Hypertension; Skinfolds; Waist circumference; Waist-tohip ratio; central obesity; waist‐to‐hip ratio; skinfolds; waist circumference; hypertension; adults
• ISSN: 1995-1892; 1680-0745
• DOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2018-056

Background: Obesity and hypertension are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the world today. The relationship between indicators of obesity and blood pressure needs attention in the rural South African population.Aim: This study examined the relationship between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure (BP) among young adults in the Ellisras rural area of South Africa.Methods: A total of 742 (365 females and 377 males) young adults aged 22 to 30 years, who were part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS), participated in the research. Anthropometric and BP measurements were taken using the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and BP. The risk of developing hypertension among young Elisras adults was evaluated using logistic regression.Results: The results indicted a higher but non-significant prevalence of hypertension in men (2.7%) than women (2.4%). Linear regression showed a significant positive (p Conclusion: Of all anthropometric parameters, waist circumference was most significantly associated with BP (p