Abstract:

Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension. Waist-hip-ratio is favored over body mass index for assessing truncal obesity and cardiometabolic risk. Is a product of body mass index and waist-hip-ratio a better predictor of hypertension than waist-hip-ratio?

The objective of this study was to determine the measure of obesity that best predicted hypertension. The study was a cross-sectional survey of 3013 participants across the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja. The census sampling technique was used to collect the data. The data collecting instruments included measuring tape, stadiometer, weighing scale, and Amron blood pressure monitor. The data was analyzed using X² test and correlation.

The mean body mass index of the participants was 26.99 ± 4.89kg/m², waist circumference 79.13 ± 26.72m, hip circumference 87.24 ± 28.57cm, waist-hip-ratio 0.91 ± 0.07, systolic blood pressure 129 ± 18mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure 80 ± 12mmHg.

Measures of obesity had statistically significant positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The best predictor of hypertension was a product of body mass index and waist-hip-ratio (r .228 and .200), followed by body mass index (r .191 and .180), then waist-hip-ratio (r .187 and .135), waist circumference (r .082 and .089), and lastly hip circumference (r .040 and .060).

A product of body mass index and waist-hip-ratio should be used to assess obesity since it predicts hypertension better than either of the two alone. This study should also be extended to other risk factors of cardiovascular disease like diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Keyword: Body Mass Index, Waist Hip Ratio, Waist Circumference, Hip Circumference, Hypertension.

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