VISCERAL FAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IN A RURAL POPULATION FROM THE CROATIAN RURAL AREA DAMAGED BY AN EARTHQUAKE

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to find whether there is an association between an increased percentage of visceral fat and high blood pressure in the rural population. Design and method: Blood pressure (BP) was measured following ESH guidelines using Microlofe oscillometric device. Visceral fat was measured using a metabolic scale with a body composition monitor. Subjects who had a visceral fat of 11 % or less were categorized as group 1, whereas participants with a visceral fat of 12 % or more were categorized as group 2. The collected data were statistically analyzed with the help of Jamovi 2.2 Results: The measurements showed a statistically significant difference between the mean diastolic BP of the tested groups (80 mmHg vs. 83.4 mmHg; p = 0.014). We failed to find differences in systolic BP (p>0.05) Conclusions: In this study, we proved the association between high visceral fat percentage and elevated diastolic BP. Some of the potential mechanisms linking obesity to hypertension include metabolic, endothelial and vascular dysfunction, maladaptive inflammatory response and neuroendocrine imbalances.