Association between Blood Pressure and Obesity Indices in Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is strongly associated with other metabolic disorders including Hypertension (HTN), diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD). High Blood Pressure (BP) is ranked as the third most important risk factor for attributable burden of disease in South Asia. Aim: The aim of present was to study the association between BP and obesity indices in medical student’s population. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on a group of 100 healthy young medical students. BP, pulse and Hb O2 % was measured by using sphygmomanometer, pulse oximeter. Obesity indices were measured by using weighing machine, stadiometer, measuring tape and impedance based Body Composition Analyser (BCA). Results: There was poor correlation of Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) with Total Body Fat (TF) and the association was not significant. SBP and DBP were mildly correlated with BMI. Whole body Visceral Fat (VF) correlation of SBP was moderate and significant. DBP was correlated with whole body VF and correlation was significant. But the whole body, trunk, leg Skin Fat (SF) and Muscle Fat (MF) were not having significant correlation with SBP and DBP. Finger to heart distance was positively correlated with SBP (p<0.05). Also, O2 %, chest and hip size were positively correlated with SBP (p<0.05). Only whole body VF and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) were significantly (p<0.05) affected SBP. None of the other parameters affected DBP. Conclusion: The present study results found that Body Mass Index (BMI), VF and WHR had significant correlation with systolic and SBP and DBP. VF and WHR were significant predictors of SBP.

Keywords

• body mass index
• cardiovascular diseases
• fat
• hypertension