Key result
Arms lean body mass was significantly associated with higher systolic blood pressure (β 1.86) in Chinese adults, with the association strengthening with age, particularly in females.
Why the study?
The relationship between lean body mass and blood pressure is controversial and limited.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,465)
Mean Difference: 1.86 (95% CI 0.77–2.94)
Lean body mass, particularly in the arms and trunk, is positively associated with systolic blood pressure in Chinese adults, with stronger effects seen in older females and those with high body fat.
LBM-BP associations in adults remain hypothesis-generating; leaves open independent effects of regional lean mass on hypertension risk.
BACKGROUND: The relationship between lean body mass (LBM) and blood pressure (BP) is controversial and limited. This study investigated the associations between LBM indexes and BP in adults of different ages and with varying body fat distribution. METHODS: The data for the present analysis was obtained from a cross-sectional survey of 1,465 adults (50.7% males) aged 18-70 years conducted in Beijing, China. Regional LBM and fat distribution, including fat mass (FM) and android to gynoid fat ratio (AOI), were assessed using a dual-energy X-ray bone densitometer. Generalized Liner Model (GLM) was employed. Confounders, including age, sex, height, weight, smoking, and alcohol use, were evaluated through questionnaires and physical examinations. RESULTS: Males had higher rates of hypertension (11.19% vs. 4.92%) and prehypertension (21.57% vs. 14.59%) than females. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 122.04 mmHg and 76.68 mmHg. There were no significant associations between LBM and DBP (p > 0.05). However, arms LBM (β = 1.86, 95% CI: 0.77, 2.94) and trunk LBM (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.73) were significantly associated with SBP. The association of LBM on DBP was stronger with increasing ages, and stronger in females than in males (p < 0.001). The association between adults' arms LBM and SBP was stronger in the high level FM group (β = 2.74 vs. β = 1.30) and high level AOI group (β = 1.80 vs. β = 2.08). CONCLUSION: The influence of LBM on SBP increases with age, particularly after the age twenty years in females. For adults with high FM or high AOI, LBM in the arms, showed a stronger positive predictive association with SBP. This suggests that, in addition to controlling fat content, future efforts to improve cardiovascular health in adults should include the management of LBM (especially in the upper body).
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Yuan et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Blood pressure (n=1,465). Lean body mass (LBM) was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β 1.86, 95% CI 0.77, 2.94). Arms lean body mass was significantly associated with higher systolic blood pressure (β 1.86) in Chinese adults, with the association strengthening with age, particularly in females.
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