Association of Waist Circumference and Blood Pressure

Obesity is a risk factor for the incidence of hypertension. Waist circumferences (WC) reflect abdominal fat distribution and provides a simple yet effective measure of truncal obesity, WC being correlated to blood pressure. In this study the relation between blood pressure and WC has been evaluated. The study is part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) and included 7806 persons demographic data were collected by questionnaires and body weight, height, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and WC were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using correlation, logistic regression and general linear regression. In all groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were correlated to WC. In younger patients, WC was correlated more with systolic blood pressure (r=0/119 for male and 0.248 for female) (P<0.001) in older people (over 55 years), WC was correlated more to diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001). This effect was independent of BMI, sex, age and daily energy intake. WC which is related to total body fat especially abdominal distribution of fat, is correlated positively to systolic and diastolic blood pressure any increase of WC, even in persons with normal BMI could predict development of hypertension.