Objective: To explore the relationship between adiposity and blood pressure (BP)of urban and rural residents in China.
Methods: The data in the China Health and Nutrition survey (CHNS) in 2006 were utilized. Cross-sectional analysis was carried out on the relationship between blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) among 6433 adult inhabitants aged 18-60 from 9 provinces of China. A multiple regression equation was used for the prediction of blood pressure with these indicators.
Results: The average SBP and DBP were increased linearly with the increase of BMI, WC, WHR and WHtR. A statistically significant linear association was found between each adiposity indicator and BP level in separate regression models controlled by age. The regression coefficients were higher in women than that in men. A gain of 0.77 in BMI, 2.43 cm in WC, 2.66% in WHR and 1.54% in WHtR for men and a gain of 0.75, 2.12 cm, 2.54% and 1.53% respectively for women would have a corresponding elevation of 1 mmHg in SBP. Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that DBP was related with WHtR.
Conclusion: There was a stable linear relationship between adiposity indicators and BP. WHtR not a good predicator of SBP and DBP in Chinese adults.