RELATION OF BODY MASS INDEX WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AND LIPID PROFILE WITH PREHYPERTENSION IN YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Hypertension is a complex metabolic disorder. Many humoral mechanisms and risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Increased body mass index is important modifiable risk factor for hypertension. Objectives: This study is planned to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure and serum lipid profile among young adults with prehypertension. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was approved by the board of studies and the ethical review committee, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), The University of Lahore. A total of 100 young adults with prehypertension were included in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer, with the mean of three readings obtained at appropriate intervals used as the final value. Serum lipid parameters were estimated by an end-point colorimetric method. The data recorded from all participants were entered into a standardized performa. Comparison within the groups were analyzed by ANOVA and independent t test. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Regression analysis for blood pressure were adjusted for age and sex. Results: The mean age of participants was approximately 19.5 years and the participants were predominantly male. BMI was not significantly correlated with total cholesterol (r=−0.057, p=0.572), triglycerides (r=0.041, p=0.688), high density lipoproteins (r=−0.037, p=0.716) and low density lipoproteins (r=−0.123, p=0.224). Body mass index (BMI) demonstrated a weak positive but non-significant correlation with systolic blood pressure (r=0.137, p=0.174). In contrast, BMI was significantly and positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (r=0.303, p=0.002). After adjustment for age and sex, BMI showed independent association with diastolic blood pressure (p=0.002), whereas the association with systolic blood pressure was not significant (p=0.238). The adjusted model explained 8.5% of the variance in diastolic blood pressure. No significant differences in lipid parameters were observed across BMI categories. Conclusions: These results suggested that BMI-related alterations in blood pressure may be detectable before significant changes in the conventional lipid profile become apparent. Assessment of BMI together with blood pressure and measures of central adiposity may enable earlier identification of cardiometabolic risk in young adults.