THE RELATIONSHIP OF BODY MASS INDEX AND WAIST TO HIP RATIO MEASUREMENTS WITH BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG ADULTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI, IMO STATE

Abstract

Background
This study determined the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip
ratio (WHR) measurements with blood pressure in young adult patients attending the
general outpatient clinic of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri. The study is intended
to create awareness on the burden of non-communicable disease in this locality. Body
mass index and waist to hip ratio were used in this present study to determine obesity
for two main reasons. Firstly, due to simplicity and reproducibility of height, weight,
hip and waist circumference measurements; secondly because both have been
recognized as important indicators for estimating cardiovascular disease risk factors,
in particular, their association with hypertension.
Patient and Methodology
A hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was carried out with a structured
questionnaires administered on 482 eligible consenting young adult patients (16 to 40
years) attending the general outpatient clinic of FMC, Owerri between January and
March 2011. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (BW) in kilograms
(kg) divided by the square of the body height (BH) in meter (m2), while central obesity
was calculated and defined on the basis of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The cut-off value
of central obesity was considered >0.90 in males, normal value for females was <0.80.
Blood pressure measurements were taken. The Seventh Report of Joint National
Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High blood pressure
(JNC-VII) criteria was used for classification.
Results:
Two hundred and ninety four females (61%) and 188 males (39%) participated in the
study.
The mean age, BMI, WHR, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of all the participants
were 25±5.5 years, 22.7±3.5kg/m2, 0.82±0.04, 116.34±13.33mmHg and
75.90±9.90mmHg, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 12.7 %( 61 out
of 482). Based on BMI classification, the prevalence of obesity was 3.7 percent (n =
18 out of 482), the prevalence was higher in females (n = 14, 4.7%) than in males (n
= 4, 2.1%). Obesity status based on Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) revealed an obesity
prevalence of 39.4 percent (n = 190) with females having a higher prevalence (n =
174, 59.2%), than males (n = 16, 8.5%). BMI was found to correlate better than WHR
with blood pressure (BP).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of high blood pressure in the study population was 12.7%. The
prevalence of obesity using body mass index was 3.7%. Assessment of obesity status
using waist-to-hip ratio gave a prevalence of 39.4%. Body mass index had a strong
linear relationship with diastolic blood pressure and correlated better than waist-to
hip ratio in predicting hypertension risk in the study population.
This study highlights the importance of Family physicians making a diagnosis of
Overweight and Obesity especially in young adults, by measuring their body mass
index. Hence, counseling them on the need for weight reduction and maintenance of
healthy weights and lifestyle pattern. Young people should also have their BP checked.
This is a primary preventive measure targeted at the young adults. Studies are needed
in this age group to determine which anthropometric measurement is a better
predictor of hypertensive risk in the other geo-political regions of this country

THE RELATIONSHIP OF BODY MASS INDEX AND WAIST TO HIP RATIO MEASUREMENTS WITH BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG ADULTS ATTENDING THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC OF THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI, IMO STATE