Anthropometric markers and their cut-off point for the prediction of hypertension with lifestyle as a risk factor among Chiru tribe of North East India

ABSTRACT

Background

The increased prevalence of obesity, particularly central obesity, is closely associated with many metabolic complexions, including hypertension and diabetes.

Objectives

The present study investigates the cut-off points of some anthropometric measurements such as body mass index [BMI (kg/m²)], waist circumference [WC (cm)], waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) associated with high blood pressure. It determines the risk factors among the Chiru tribe of North East India.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in four villages in the hilly districts of Manipur. For the present study, 416 Chiru adults (209 males and 207 females) aged 20–79 years were included. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured using standard procedures. Statistical methods such as chi-square, Pearson correlation, and multivariate logistic regression were employed.

Results

The result indicates that the cut-off values to detect hypertension were 21.83 for BMI, 82.55 for WC, 0.92 for WHR, and 0.53 for WHtR. However, the cut-off values to detect hypertension in females were 23.92 for BMI, 86.48 for WC, 0.94 for WHR, and 0.55 for WHtR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was an independently associated risk factor in both males and females with an age ≥ 50 years (OR = 18.52 and 10.12), physical activity (OR = 0.10 and 0.21), salt intake (OR = 7.81 and 3.36), and smoking (OR = 2.56 and 3.23), respectively.

Conclusion

It has been concluded that BMI, WC, WHR, and WHtR values can determine hypertension risk in the Chiru population. Age, smoking, physical activity, and salt intake were independent risk factors associated with high blood pressure.

KEYWORDS:

• Body mass index
• waist circumference
• waist hip ratio
• waist height ratio
• hypertension
• Chiru tribe

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank all participants for participating in data collection and extending all assistance and support in this research work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author’s contribution

HT was the main author of this research paper, responsible for the study design, data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. UZ also provide several critical inputs in planning this paper. RT and RMP assisted in data collection and contributed key intellectual content to the manuscript. MC and KB also carefully revised the manuscript and give several important inputs to finalized the manuscript. All of the listed authors contributed significantly to this manuscript.