Cardiovascular Journal of Africa: Vol 30 No 1 (January/February 2019)

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CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Volume 30, No 1, January/February 2019 26 AFRICA
between triceps (r = 0.022), biceps (r = 0.021) and subscapular
(r = 0.053) skinfolds and SBP in women, while DBP in women
was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with triceps (r = 0.046),
biceps (r = 0.007) and subscapular (r = 0.013) skinfolds. In men,
SBP significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with triceps (r = 0.012)
and biceps (r = 0.015) skinfolds, while DBP was substantially (p
< 0.05) correlated with biceps ( r = 0.017) and subscapular (r =
0.054) skinfolds.
Table 4 presents linear regression coefficients for the
association between anthropometric parameters and BP. The
results exhibited a significant positive (p < 0.000) relationship
between WC and SBP (beta = 0.273; 95% CI: 0.053–0.230),
even after being adjusted for age and gender (beta = 2.091; 95%
CI: 1.129–3.871). There was a significant positive (p < 0.002)
association between WC and DBP (beta = 0.141; 95% CI:
0.053–0.230) when the data were unadjusted for age and gender.
Triceps skinfold (p < 0.004) was significantly associated with
DBP (beta = 0.377; 95% CI: 0.633–0.122), even after the data
were adjusted for age and gender (p < 0.002) (beta = 0.412; 95%
CI: 0.669–0.155).
Table 5 presents logistic regression analyses to determine the
risk of developing hypertension among young Ellisras adults.
High SBP was associated with abdominal obesity (WC) after
adjusting for age and gender (OR = 2.091, 95% CI: 1.129–3.871).
There was a significant association between high SBP and
overweight (OR = 1.634, 95% CI: 1.012–2.801).
Discussion
The purpose of the study was to determine the association
between anthropometric parameters and BP among young
Ellisras adults aged 22 to 30 years. In this study, WC was
significantly associated with both SBP and DBP. This confirms
the results of previous studies in which a significant positive
association between WC and both SBP and DBP was reported
among adults aged 23 to 40 years.24,25
Although studies have been conducted in different parts
of the world, subjects of similar ages were targeted, therefore
resulting in similar findings. Furthermore, a study carried out in
adolescents aged 13 to 19 years found similar results.9 However,
Ashwell et al.22 found that WHR was positively associated with
SBP among adults. The study focused on individuals aged 60
years and older, therefore making the age difference a plausible
explanation for the disparity in published research findings.
Our study also found that there was no significant association
between both SBP and DBP and WHR. Contrary to this, Barbosa
et al.26 found WHR to be significantly associated with both SBP
and DBP. Regarding skinfold thickness, the present study found
that both SBP and DBP were significantly correlated with triceps,
biceps and subscapular skinfolds among young Ellisras adults.
Similarly, Birmingham et al.27 reported a significant positive
correlation between subscapular, triceps and biceps skinfolds
and both SBP and DBP in individuals aged 18 to 40 years.
Furthermore, the results agree with those of Dua et al.28 and
Timpson et al.,29which indicated a significant positive association
between triceps, biceps and subscapular skinfolds and BP in adults.
In our study, men (1.9%) had a higher prevalence of
hypertension compared to women (1.3%). Tesfaye et al.30 also
found the prevalence of hypertension to be higher in men
(21.0%) than in women (16.4%). It has been reported that gender
differences in the association between anthropometric variables
and blood pressure could be influenced by both biological
Table 4. Liner regression analysis for the association of WC,
WHR and skinfold thickness with blood pressure
Unadjusted
(for age and gender)
Adjusted
(for age and gender)
Variable β p-value 95% CI β p-value 95% CI
Systolic blood pressure
Triceps 0.229 0.171 0.556–0.099 0.397 0.013 0.709–0.085
0.527–1.182 0.010–0.647
1.420–0.697 0.603–0.160
0.465–0.088 0.163–0.378
0.143–0.064 0.025–0.059
16.654–8.327 9.419–14.301
0.160–0.386 0.127–0.343
Subscapular 0.854 0.000 0.318 0.057
Biceps 1.058 0.000 0.222 0.254
Supraspinale 0.188 0.181 0.108 0.435
Sum of 4 skinfolds 0.103 0.000 0.017 0.433
WHR 4.163 0.513 2.441 0.686
WC 0.273 0.000 0.253 0.000
Diastolic blood pressure
Triceps 0.377 0.004 0.633–0.122 0.412 0.002 0.669–0.155
0.013–0.525 0.137–0.404
0.392–0.172 0.216–0.412
0.225–0.207 0.165–0.218
0.053–0.006 0.037–0.031
7.766–11.726 6.243–13.286
0.053–0.230 0.036–0.213
Subscapular 0.269 0.039 0.133 0.333
Biceps 110 0.443 0.098 0.541
Supraspinale 0.009 0.935 0.058 0.608
Sum of 4 skinfolds 0.024 0.118 0.003 0.856
WHR 1.980 0.690 3.522 0.479
WC 0.141 0.002 0.124 0.124
Dependent variables: DBP and SBP.
WC, waist circumference; WHR, waist-to-hip ratio.
Table 5. Logistic regression analysis of association of anthropometric
variables with hypertension among young Ellisras adults
Unadjusted
(for age and gender)
Adjusted
(for age and gender)
Variable p-value OR 95% CI p-value OR 95% CI
High systolic blood pressure
Abdominal obesity
(WC)
0.952 0.983 0.566–1.707 0.019 2.091 1.129–3.871
1.012–2.801
0.415–1.051
Overweight 0.045 1.634 0.460 1.229 0.712–2.122
Abdominal (WHR) 0.080 0.660 0.830 1.061 0.621–1.812
High diastolic blood pressure
Abdominal obesity
(WC)
0.989 1.005 0.491–2.059 0.273 1.543 0.711–3.343
0.741–2.590
0.592–2.009
Overweight 0.308 1.385 0.676 1.147 0.604–2.177
Abdominal obesity
(WHR)
0.782 1.090 0.308 1.396 0.735–2.653
Hypertension
Abdominal obesity
(WC)
0.041 2.775 0.891–8.585 6.186 0.049 1.0073–7.993
0.221–4.614
0.514–4.896
Overweight 0.987 1.012 0.532 0.548 0.068–4.175
Abdominal obesity
(WHR)
0.416 1.596 1.906 0.314 0.543–6.699
Dependent variables: DBP, SBP, hypertension.
WC, waist circumference; WHR, waist-to-hip ratio.