Key result
Overweight and central obesity were associated with a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, with higher rates observed even in the high-normal BMI subgroup compared to low-normal BMI (P<0.05).
Why the study?
BMI and waist circumference are commonly used to identify obesity, but blood pressure status across categories of BMI and waist circumference needed assessment in Chinese college students.
Is there an association between BMI and waist circumference categories and the prevalence of high blood pressure in Chinese youth?
Cross-Sectional (n=4,226)
Is there an association between BMI and waist circumference categories and the prevalence of high blood pressure in Chinese youth?
p-value: p=<0.05
Higher BMI and waist circumference, even within the normal range, are associated with an increased prevalence of high blood pressure in young adults.
May warrant closer BP monitoring in overweight youth; extends associations to high-normal BMI but leaves causality open.
BACKGROUND: BMI and waist circumference (WC) have commonly been used to identify obesity in practice. The aim of the present study was to assess the blood pressure (BP) status among Chinese college students categorized by BMI and WC. METHODS: A total of 4226 college students (2107 males and 2119 females) aged 19-22 years included in the study. The WHO BMI cutoffs were used to define underweight, normal weight and overweight. The WC cutoffs (90 cm for man and 80 cm for woman) were used to define central obesity. High BP was defined as SBP/DBP ≥140/90 mmHg. The BP status of subjects within each category across BMI and WC were assessed. RESULTS: When subjects were categorized by BMI, overweight males and females had a higher prevalence of high BP than their nonoverweight counterparts. When WC was used to diagnose central obesity, subjects with central obesity had a higher prevalence of high BP than those with normal WC. A positive association between BMI, WC and BP was also observed even in normal-weight subjects, with 'high normal BMI' subgroup (BMI = 23.7-24.9) had a higher BP level and prevalence of high BP than 'low normal BMI' subgroups (BMI = 18.5-19.7 and BMI = 19.8-21.0, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prevention of overweight/obesity in youth may be an effective approach for preventing the development of hypertension in the future; for normal-weight youth, it is essential to keep their BMI at a lower level within normal range.
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Zhang et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in High blood pressure (n=4,226). Overweight and central obesity vs. Normal weight and normal waist circumference was evaluated on High blood pressure (SBP/DBP ≥140/90 mmHg) (p=<0.05). Overweight and central obesity were associated with a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, with higher rates observed even in the high-normal BMI subgroup compared to low-normal BMI (P<0.05).
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