Anthropometrical indicators in normotensive and hipertensive women

Abstract

This study determined the relationship between age and global and regional body fat distribution, which was measured by skin folds and body circumferences, in normotensive (n = 104) and hypertensive (n = 100) women. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg. Statistical analyses was carried out through the description of the variables: mean, standard deviation and 95 % confidence intervals (CI 95%), comparison between age and adiposity measurements for both groups through angular coefficients (□) and CI 95%. Correlation and determination coefficients were also calculated between age and adiposity measurements for normotensive and hipertensive women. We found that normotensive women presented a significant increase of adiposity in the abdomen (□ = 0,558; CI 95%: 0,105:1,011) when compared to hypertensive women (□ = 0,121; CI 95%: -0,278:0,520). Therefore, age presented a statistically significant association with abdominal skin fold only in the group of normotensive patients.