Dataset Information

Leg and arm adiposity is inversely associated with diastolic hypertension in young and middle-aged United States adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We sought to determine the association between appendicular adiposity and hypertension, with the purpose of better understanding the role of body fat distribution on blood pressure (BP).

Methods

We included 7411 adults aged 20 to 59 who were not taking antihypertensives and without cardiovascular disease from the 2011 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Leg & arm adiposity, determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, was defined as percent of total body fat present in legs/arms (leg/total%, arm/total%). Measures were categorized into sex-specific tertiles. We estimated change in BP and odds ratios (ORs) of hypertension (BP ≥ 130/80) and hypertension subtypes using multivariable, survey design-adjusted linear & logistic regression, respectively.

Results

Of the participants, 49% were female, the average (standard deviation) age was 37.4 (0.3) years, and 24% had hypertension. Those in the highest tertile (T3) of leg/total% had 30% decreased adjusted ORs (aOR) of hypertension compared to the lowest tertile (T1; aOR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.55-0.89). This association was not significant for arm/total% (0.89, 0.68-1.17). T3 of leg/total% was associated with 49% lower, 41% lower, and unchanged relative odds of isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH), and isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) compared to T1 (IDH: 0.51, 0.37-0.70; SDH: 0.59, 0.43-0.80; ISH: 1.06, 0.70-1.59). For every 10% increase in leg/total%, diastolic BP decreased by an adjusted mean 3.5 mmHg (95% CI, - 4.8 to - 2.2) in males and 1.8 mmHg (95% CI, - 2.8 to - 0.8) in females (P < 0.001 for both).

Conclusions

A greater proportional distribution of fat around the legs is inversely, independently associated with hypertension, and more specifically, diastolic hypertension (IDH and SDH).

SUBMITTER: Visaria A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8760692 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundVisceral adiposity, more so than overall adiposity, is associated with chronic disease and mortality. There has been, to our knowledge, little research exploring the association between diet quality and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) among a mulitethnic population aged 18-80 y.ObjectiveThe primary objective of this cross-sectional analysis was to examine the association between diet quality [Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores] and VAT among a multiethnic population of young, middle, and older aged adults in the United States. Secondary objectives were to repeat these analyses with overall adiposity and blood-based biomarkers for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk as outcome measures.MethodsA total of 540 adults (dropped out: n = 4; age: 18-40 y, n = 220; 40-60 y, n = 183; 60-80 y, n = 133) were recruited across 3 sites (Honolulu County, San Francisco, and Baton Rouge) for the Shape Up! Adults study. Whole-body DXA, anthropometry, fasting blood draw, and questionnaires (food frequency, physical activity, and demographic characteristics) were completed. Linear regression was used to assess the associations between HEI-2010 tertiles and VAT and secondary outcome measures among all participants and age-specific strata, while adjusting for known confounders.ResultsVAT, BMI (kg/m2), body fat percentage, total body fat, trunk fat, insulin, and insulin resistance were inversely related to diet quality (all P values < 0.004). When stratified by age, diet quality was inversely associated with VAT among participants aged 60-80 y (P < 0.006) and VAT/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) among participants aged 40-60 y (P < 0.008).ConclusionsHigher-quality diet was associated with lower VAT, overall adiposity, and insulin resistance among this multiethnic population of young, middle, and older aged adults with ages ranging from 18 to 80 y. More specifically, adherence to a high-quality diet may minimize VAT accumulation in adults aged 60-80 y and preferentially promote storage of SAT compared with VAT in adults aged 40-60 y.This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03637855.