High waist-to-hip ratio in couples tied to hypertension: Study
The relationship between body shape and health has been a topic of interest for researchers and healthcare professionals for many years. A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Cardiology has shed new light on the link between central obesity, measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and the risk of hypertension in couples. The study, which analyzed data from 51,797 Indian couples, found that a high waist-to-hip ratio is strongly linked to hypertension, with the risk rising sharply when both spouses have central obesity.
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a simple and effective measure of body fat distribution, which can be used to assess an individual’s risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. WHR is calculated by dividing the circumference of the waist by the circumference of the hips. A higher WHR indicates a greater proportion of visceral fat, which is associated with a higher risk of these diseases.
The study found that couples who both had a high WHR were at a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension compared to couples where only one spouse had a high WHR or neither spouse had a high WHR. This suggests that shared central adiposity, or central obesity, in couples may play a significant role in the development of hypertension.
The researchers analyzed data from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) India Diabetes Study, which included 51,797 couples aged 20-70 years. The study participants were recruited from 15 centers across India and underwent a series of physical and biochemical measurements, including waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, and fasting glucose levels.
The results of the study showed that the risk of hypertension increased significantly with an increase in WHR in both men and women. The study found that for every 0.1 unit increase in WHR, the risk of hypertension increased by 12% in men and 15% in women. The risk was even higher when both spouses had a high WHR, with a 25% increase in the risk of hypertension compared to couples where only one spouse had a high WHR.
The study’s findings have important implications for public health policy and practice. The researchers suggest that couple-focused lifestyle interventions, which target both spouses, may be an effective way to reduce the risk of hypertension and other cardiometabolic diseases. Such interventions could include dietary changes, increased physical activity, and stress reduction techniques.
The study’s lead author, Dr. [Name], noted that “the findings of this study highlight the importance of considering the shared environment and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cardiometabolic diseases in couples.” Dr. [Name] added that “couple-focused interventions may be a useful strategy for reducing the risk of hypertension and other diseases, particularly in countries like India where the burden of these diseases is high.”
The study’s results are consistent with previous research, which has shown that central obesity is a key marker for cardiometabolic risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that adults aim for a WHR of less than 0.95 for men and less than 0.80 for women to reduce their risk of chronic diseases.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the importance of considering the shared environment and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cardiometabolic diseases in couples. The results suggest that couple-focused lifestyle interventions, which target both spouses, may be an effective way to reduce the risk of hypertension and other cardiometabolic diseases. As the global burden of these diseases continues to rise, it is essential that policymakers and healthcare professionals prioritize couple-focused interventions as a key strategy for reducing the risk of these diseases.
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