The use of centripetal indices of adiposity for cardiovascular risk prediction is gaining popularity over body mass index (BMI). The objectives of the study were to investigate the relationships of centripetal adiposity indices with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and find sexual dimorphism in such relationship in Kano. Also to determine the correlation between centripetal adiposity indices and BMI. The study included 405 registered hypertensive, diabetic or hypertensive diabetic subjects (215 females and 190 males) with mean age of 53.4±0.36. The adiposity indices [BMI, waist circumference (WC) hip circumferences (HC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR)] were obtained using standard protocol. Chi-square and Pearson correlation were used to test for relationship. The results showed that WC was not significantly associated with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in females, but was significant in males (P = 0.04). In both sexes, WHR was significantly associated with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, however, relationship was stronger in the males (P < 0.0001 for males, P = 0.023 for females) In males where both WC and WHR had significant relationship with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, the relationship was stronger for WHR (P < 0.0001 for WHR, P = 0.04 for WC). In conclusion, WC in males and WHR in both sexes had significant association with essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus and compared to WHR, WC correlated better with BMI.
Key words: Centripetal adiposity, essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Sexual dimorphism
|
