Nexus between Anthropometric Indices in Hypertensive and Normotensive Adults: A Gender-Based Study in a Sprawling Urban Community

Abstract

Adipose tissue in the body can be easily assessed using anthropometric measurements such as hip, waist, chest, and neck circumferences, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index (BMI), and subscapular skinfold thickness. Gender, age, lifestyle, ethnicity, genetics, and nutrition influence these measurements. Although extensive research exists on anthropometry, there is still a lack of data on the gender-specific correlations between anthropometric indices (or parameters), obesity, and blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the gender differences in anthropometric parameters in hypertensive and normotensive adults, and to assess the gender-based correlations between anthropometry and blood pressure. A cross-sectional, quantitative study involving 355 adults, aged 20-75 years was conducted in Enugu City, South-East Nigeria. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaires, an electronic weighing scale, a stadiometer, a non-elastic fiber-glass tape, and an Accoson™ Desktop mercury sphygmomanometer. Student’s t-test was used to compare anthropometric parameters, and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to analyze the relationships between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The study found a 38.0% prevalence of hypertension. Gender comparisons revealed that more males were underweight (39.0%), with no cases of class 3 obesity. Females had higher rates of overweight (27.9%) and obesity (41.3%). In the hypertensive participants, all anthropometric parameters were higher when compared to normotensive participants, except for height in males, neck circumference and subscapular-triceps ratio in females. Hypertensive and normotensive males had greater weight, height, neck and chest circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and subscapular-triceps ratio than their female counterparts. Conversely, hypertensive and normotensive females had greater waist circumference, hip circumference, subscapular skinfold, triceps skinfold, BMI, and waist-to-height ratio compared to males. Anthropometric parameters are key indicators of obesity, a major global health issue due to its association with hypertension. The rising trend in obesity, driven by dietary changes, disproportionately affects women. Urgent interventions are needed to promote routine exercise, particularly among administrative workers, and to raise public awareness about the benefits of physical activity.