Inter-relationship of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) and subcutaneous fat with blood pressure among university-going Punjabi Sikh and Hindu females

Abstract

Different anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC) and skin fold thickness are the important indicator to investigate the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the interrelationship between blood pressures with body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and subcutaneous fat. Three hundred university-going Punjabi Sikh and Hindu females were surveyed for blood pressures, pulse rate, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, four skin folds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac). All these measurements were taken from each subject using standard procedure. The relation between blood pressure and different anthropometric variables were assessed in multiple regression models. No significant differences of all the measured mean values of the traits have found between these two groups. However, further analysis of the data showed that BMI, WHR and skin folds measurements have significant (p < 0.05) effect on blood pressure phenotypes. The results of the present cross-sectional study indicated that BMI and WHR would be the good predictors for the chronic disease like hypertension. Primarily among female WHR should be used as a good predictor for elevated blood pressure. Key words: Waist and hip circumferences, body mass index, blood pressure, Punjabi female.