European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

The prevalence of hypertension has been rising steadily across all age groups, with an increasing trend observed even among young adults. One of the modifiable risk factors strongly associated with elevated blood pressure is body mass index (BMI), a widely used measure to assess body fat based on an individual's weight relative to height (1). Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that individuals with higher BMI values are more likely to develop prehypertension or hypertension, regardless of age and gender (2,3).

Obesity, as reflected by elevated BMI, contributes to increased peripheral resistance, sympathetic nervous system activation, and changes in renal sodium handling—all of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of high blood pressure (4). The burden of obesity and hypertension during early adulthood not only predicts future cardiovascular complications but also poses a significant challenge for public health systems due to the prolonged course of disease progression (5).

Although the association between BMI and blood pressure has been well-documented in adult populations, there is a need to further explore this relationship among young individuals, particularly during their transition into adulthood when lifestyle habits are still modifiable (6,7). Understanding this correlation can aid in early identification and preventive strategies aimed at reducing long-term cardiovascular risks.

Therefore, this study aims to assess the correlation between body mass index and systolic and diastolic blood pressure among young adults aged 18 to 25 years in a university setting.

This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 100 young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Participants were selected through simple random sampling from undergraduate and postgraduate students of a university campus. Individuals with a history of chronic illness, current use of antihypertensive medication, or known cardiovascular disease were excluded to avoid confounding variables.

After obtaining informed consent, anthropometric measurements were recorded using standardized procedures. Height was measured using a stadiometer to the nearest 0.1 cm, and weight was recorded using a digital weighing scale to the nearest 0.1 kg. BMI was calculated using the formula:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m²)
Participants were classified into underweight (<18.5 kg/m²), normal (18.5–24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m²) categories as per WHO guidelines (1).

Blood pressure was measured using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer (Omron HEM-7120) in a quiet room. Each participant was seated in a relaxed position for 5 minutes prior to the measurement, with the arm supported at heart level. Two readings were taken at a 2-minute interval, and the average was considered for analysis. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values were recorded in mmHg.

All data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between BMI and SBP/DBP. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 100 young adults (52 males and 48 females) were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 21.2 ± 1.9 years. The overall mean BMI was 24.1 ± 3.6 kg/m², with 42% of participants falling in the normal range, 34% overweight, 16% obese, and 8% underweight (Table 1).

The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 122.6 ± 11.4 mmHg, and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 78.4 ± 8.2 mmHg. Participants in the overweight and obese categories had higher mean SBP and DBP compared to those in the normal BMI group (Table 2).

A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between BMI and SBP (r = 0.46, p = 0.001) and between BMI and DBP (r = 0.39, p = 0.002) (Table 3). The correlation was stronger among males than females, but remained significant across both genders.

Table 1: Distribution of Participants by BMI Category

Table 2: Mean Blood Pressure According to BMI Category

Table 3: Correlation Between BMI and Blood Pressure

As shown in Table 1, a considerable proportion of participants were classified as overweight or obese. Table 2 indicates a trend of increasing blood pressure with rising BMI values. Table 3 confirms that the association between BMI and both SBP and DBP was statistically significant.

The present study demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among young adults aged 18–25 years. These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that increasing adiposity is an important modifiable risk factor for elevated blood pressure even in early adulthood (1,2).

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this association. Obesity leads to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, sodium retention, and insulin resistance, all of which contribute to elevated blood pressure levels (3,4). Additionally, adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ releasing inflammatory cytokines and adipokines that promote vascular dysfunction and endothelial impairment, further exacerbating hypertension risk (5,6).

Our results are comparable to those reported in a similar study conducted by Hwang et al., which observed a strong correlation between BMI and systolic blood pressure in Korean university students (7). Likewise, a study among Indian medical students by Gupta et al. confirmed a significant positive association between BMI and both SBP and DBP (8). These consistent observations across different populations underscore the global relevance of addressing obesity as a cardiovascular risk factor.

Interestingly, even participants in the overweight category showed significantly elevated blood pressure compared to those with normal BMI, indicating that the adverse effects of excess body weight may begin earlier than previously assumed (9). This highlights the need for early interventions targeting weight management in younger populations to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risks (10).

Gender-wise stratification revealed a slightly stronger correlation in males than females, possibly due to sex-related differences in fat distribution, hormonal profiles, and lifestyle factors (11,12). These differences warrant further investigation in larger and more diverse cohorts.

Public health strategies focusing on dietary habits, physical activity, and behavioral modifications are essential in preventing both obesity and its complications, including hypertension (13). Early detection through routine screening in college health settings could play a pivotal role in identifying at-risk individuals (14). Additionally, health education initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the BMI-BP relationship could empower youth to adopt healthier lifestyles (15).

In conclusion, the findings of this study reinforce the significant relationship between BMI and blood pressure in young adults and emphasize the urgent need for integrated preventive approaches at an early age.

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