Importância relativa do Índice de Massa Corporal e da circunferência abdominal na predição da hipertensão arterial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To assess the relative importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference for the determination of hypertension in adults. METHODS:Cross sectional analysis of a sample of employees (N=1,584), aged 18 to 64 years, from a private general hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data collection included the application of a structured questionnaire and blood pressure, weight, high, and waist circumference measurements. Hypertension was defi ned as blood pressure levels ≥ 140/90 mmHg or reported use of anti-hypertensive medication. The relative importance of BMI and waist circumference was evaluated by calculating the attributable fraction of hypertension corresponding to each anthropometric indicator, employing both the usual cut-off points as well as cut-off points based on the observed distribution of the indicator in the population. In addition, an indicator combining simultaneously BMI and abdominal circumference values was also developed. RESULTS:Prevalence of hypertension was 18.9% (26.9% in men and 12.5% in women). In men, the fraction of hypertension attributable to BMI exceeded the fraction attributable to waist circumference based on the usual cut-off points for the indicators (56% vs. 48%, respectively) and also considering the quartiles of the observed distribution for these indicators (73% vs. 69%, respectively). In women, the fraction of hypertension attributable to waist circumference was slightly higher than the fraction attributable to BMI based on the usual cut off points for both indicators (44% vs. 41%), but the reverse was true when quartiles of the observed distribution were used (41% vs. 57%, respectively). In women only, the fraction of hypertension attributable to the indicator combining BMI and waist circumference (64%) was higher that observed using each indicator alone. CONCLUSIONS:Both BMI and abdominal circumference were positively and independently associated with the occurrence of arterial hypertension, the infl uence of BMI being higher among men.

Prevalência de hipertensão arterial em militares jovens e fatores associados

“…The choice of BMI to classify overweight and obesity was due to the fact that it is an index that has an important explanatory power concerning the occurrence of arterial hypertension. 18 Thus, it was possible to observe a strong trend towards the increase in hypertension prevalence with the increase in the BMI.…”

Prevalência e fatores associados ao excesso de peso em adultos: inquérito populacional em Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil, 2007-2008

“…As morbidades referidas hipertensão arterial e dislipidemias se mostraram associadas ao excesso de peso, pois apresentaram razões de prevalência, em ambos os sexos, maiores do que nos indivíduos que não declararam essas morbidades presentes, sugerindo o risco de comorbidades e concordando com achados na literatura 1,4,30,31 .…”

Influência do conhecimento sobre o estilo de vida saudável no controle de pessoas hipertensas

“…Fats accumulated in this region are less responsive to catecholamine action (10) . Abdominal obesity is associated with a characteristic pattern of comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (11) . Yet another important aspect that needs to be considered in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle is abstinence from smoking and decreased alcohol consumption.…”