Sex differences in blood pressure levels and its association with obesity indices: who is at greater risk.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate blood pressure (BP) levels and their association with different indices of body fat in adult Baniyas. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on an endogamous group of 577 adults (307 females and 270 males) aged 25-60 years in Delhi, India. METHODS: Data were collected for weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure using standardized procedure. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR) and grand mean thickness (GMT) were calculated to assess obesity. Also, the sex-specific prevalence estimates for various BP categories was calculated. Correlation was calculated between systolic and diastolic BP and various indices of obesity. Odds ratios for association of hypertension with obesity indices were obtained using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was higher among males and prevalence of obesity was higher in females. Correlations of BP with all indices of obesity were significant. Odds ratio of hypertension was higher in males than in females for all the indices of obesity at 95% CI. CONCLUSION: Although obesity was found to be higher among females, males were found to be at higher risk of hypertension. High odds ratios of obesity indicate that the optimum cut-off should be calculated for screening those who are at-risk of becoming hypertensive and thus are at the greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.