CORRELATION OF BODY COMPOSITION WITH HAND GRIP STRENGTH AND BLOOD PRESSURE INDICES IN DIFFERENT GRADES OF OBESITY

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To find out whether there is any correlation of body mass index, body composition, blood pressure indices and hand grip strength and to find out how body composition measures like body fat percentage and lean body mass are correlated to hand grip strength and blood pressure indices in different grades of obesity.
Materials and Methods: Three hundred and eighty-one obese participants between the age group of 20-50 years with no history of systemic illness, musculoskeletal disorder, hand pain or deformity were selected. Informed consent was obtained. Biodata and anthropometric measurements were documented in a proforma. HGS is taken from the dominant hand were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Blood pressure was recorded using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Data on BMI was sub grouped according to the World Health Organization defined cutoff values for BMI among Asian population as following: Obese Class I 30-35 kg/m2, Obese Class II 35-40 kg/m2, Obese Class III > 40 kg/m2 to compare the HGS among them. Body composition is taken by skin fold calliper according to 7 site Jackson and pollock formulae.
Results: There was a statistically significant negative correlation between BMI and HGS (r = −0.513; P < 0.01), BMI and grip strength ratio (r = −0.750; P < 0.01). Statistically significant decrease in HGS was found among Grade III obese participants (29.36 ± 7.01), Obese grade II participants (26.18 ± 5.45) and obese grade I participants (20.48 ± 3.12) with Kruskal–Wallis value χ2 = 14.231. Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between BMI and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.603; P < 0.01), BMI and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.514; P < 0.01), BMI and pulse pressure (r = 0.228; P < 0.01) and between BMI and mean arterial pressure (r = 0.572; P < 0.01).

Conclusion: BMI was found to be negatively correlated with HGS and positively correlated with blood pressure indices. This can influence as an important predictor of morbidity and mortality. Determinants such as grip span, hand span, skeletal muscle bulk, and arm and calf muscle circumference are to be considered for further research to improve the endurance of obese individuals.