Obesity parameters as predictive factors of hypertension in adolescents

Objective To investigate the relation of obesity parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), with hypertension in adolescents. Methods A cross-section study was conducted among 3953 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old, who were assigned to the normal blood pressure group (3724) or hypertension group (229). Measurements were height, weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results The data showed that mean BMI, WHR, waist circumference, WHR, SBP, and DBP in the hypertension group was significantly higher than those in the normal blood pressure group (all P<0.05). In partial correlation analysis, BMI, WHR, waist circumference, and WHR were positively correlated with both SBP and DBP after gender or age were adjusted (r′= 0.3228 and 0.2358, both P<0.05). For areas under the receiver operating curve (ROC), the BMI was observed to strongly predict hypertension in male (0.715; 95%CI 0.659-0.771) and female (0.702; 95% CI 0.646-0.757). BMI was also entered into the multiple linear regression model. Conclusion BMI could be an effective predictive factor of hypertension in adolescents. Key words: Hypertension; Adolescent; Overweight; Obesity