Body mass index, waist circumference, and arterial hypertension in students - Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

Body mass index, waist circumference, and arterial hypertension in students |

ABSTRACT

Objective:

to investigate what is the best anthropometric predictor of arterial hypertension among private school students.

Method:

this was a cross-sectional study with 286 students between the ages of 10 and 14 from two private schools in the city of Paranavaí, Paraná, Brazil. The following variables were analyzed: body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure. Statistical analysis was conducted with Pearson’s partial correlation test and multivariate logistic regression, with p<0.05.

Results:

both anthropometric indicators displayed weak correlation with systolic and diastolic levels, with coeffi cients (r) ranging from 0.27 to 0.36 (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the only anthropometric indicator associated with arterial hypertension was waist circumference (OR= 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5), regardless of age or gender.

Conclusion:

this age group, waist circumference appeared to be a better predictor for arterial hypertension than body mass index.