Body composition and anthropometric indicators as predictors of blood pressure: a cross-sectional study conducted in young Algerian adults

Abstract

Various body indicators are used to predict health risks. However, controversies still exist regarding the best indicators to predict cardiovascular diseases. Using a large number of measurements, our aim was to assess their associations with blood pressure (BP) and to identify the most relevant parameters to be used in health surveillance studies. The population included 589 students (67.2% women) aged 20-25 years from Constantine (Algeria). Sixteen parameters were considered, including crude body measurements, ratios and body fat indicators based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). We used multi-adjusted linear regression models to assess the associations between body measurements and BP. According to WHO definitions, underweight, overweight-without obesity, obesity and hypertension were identified in 6.1%, 18.0%, 2.4% and 5.1% of the subjects respectively. Prevalence of hypertension was higher in men than in women (11.9% vs 1.8%; p<0.001). In the whole sample, almost all indicators were positively associated with systolic and diastolic BP. The Suprailiac skinfold had the strongest associations with systolic (β=3.498; p<0.001) and diastolic (β=2.436; p<0.001) BP, and as a whole, arm circumferences and weight were also good candidates. The currently used BMI, waist-to hip, waist-to-height ratio and BIA indictors also predicted BP, but they did not seem to be better determinants of BP than crude anthropometric measurements. This study showed that overweight and hypertension were already found in the present population of young Algerian adults. Most body indicators were highly associated with BP, but simple anthropometric measurements appeared to be particularly useful to predict blood pressure.