Strength and cardiometabolic risk in young adults: The mediator role of aerobic fitness and waist circumference.

The aim of this study was to analyze the mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference in the association between muscular strength and cardiometabolic risk. A cross-sectional study involved first-year college students (n = 370) from a Spanish public university was performed. We measured weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, biochemical variables, maximum handgrip strength assessment, and cardiorespiratory fitness. We calculated handgrip dynamometry/weight and a previously validated cardiometabolic risk index. Analysis of covariance models was conducted to test differences in cardiometabolic risk values across muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and waist circumference categories, controlling for confounders. Hayes' PROCESS macro was used for the multiple mediation analysis. The relationship between muscular strength and cardiometabolic risk did not remain significant (c' = 1.76 [1.4]; P > .05) in a multiple serial bootstrapped mediation model including cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference as mediators when controlling for age and sex. According to the indirect effect, the significant paths in the model mediating this relationship between muscular strength and cardiometabolic risk index were as follows: muscular strength → waist circumference → cardiometabolic risk index (-4.899; 95% CI: -6.690; -3.450) and muscular strength → cardiorespiratory fitness → waist circumference → cardiometabolic risk index (-0.720; 95% CI: -1.316; -0.360). Both cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference mediate the association between muscular strength and cardiometabolic risk in young adults. Thus, our results place cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference as the main targets of physical activity programmes aimed at preventing cardiometabolic diseases.

Prehipertensión arterial en adultos jóvenes / Arterial pre-hypertension in young adults

Antecedentes y objetivos. La prehipertensión es una nueva categoría de presión arterial, y se considera un factor de riesgo vascular. Hemos estimado la prevalencia de prehipertensión y la asociación entre esta condición y otros factores de riesgo vascular en adultos jóvenes. Sujetos y métodos. Invitamos a participar a los universitarios del primer curso de todas las titulaciones que se imparten en el Campus Universitario de Cuenca. Se consideró prehipertensión a una presión arterial sistólica de 120-139mmHg y/o presión arterial diastólica de 80-89mmHg. Se midieron las variables antropométricas, lipídicas y metabólicas. Se valoró la presencia del síndrome metabólico, y se cuantificó en función de la suma de las puntuaciones estandarizadas del perímetro de cintura, la razón triglicéridos/c-HDL, presión arterial media y R-HOMA (índice de resistencia a la acción hipoglucemiante de la insulina). Resultados. Se incluyeron en el análisis 545 universitarios (edad media [±DE] 20,4±3,9 años; 74,7% mujeres). La prevalencia global de prehipertensión fue del 24% (IC del 95%: 21-27%), (varones: 56,5%; mujeres: 13,0%). La condición de prehipertensión se asoció de forma directa al índice de masa corporal (OR: 1,194; IC del 95%: 1,124-1,311), resistencia al efecto hipoglucemiante de la insulina (R-HOMA, OR: 2,638; IC del 95%: 1,263-4,926) y al índice o cuantificación de la severidad del síndrome metabólico (OR: 4,868; IC del 95%: 3,846-8,328). Por el contrario, la prehipertensión se asoció de forma inversa con la concentración de c-HDL (OR: 0,981; IC del 95%: 0,957-0,993). Conclusiones. Uno de cada 4 adultos jóvenes presenta prehipertensión. Esta condición se asocia a los factores de riesgo vasculares bien establecidos(AU)

Background and objectives. Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. This study has aimed to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and the association between prehypertension and other vascular risk factors in young adults. Material and methods. First year university students from all areas of study in the University of Cuenca were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120-139mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80-89mmHg. Anthropometric, lipid and metabolic variables were measures. The presence of metabolic syndrome was evaluated and quantified based on the sum of the standardized scores of the waist circumference, the triglyceride/c-HDL ratio, mean blood pressure and R-HOMA (Index of insulin resistance to glucose lowering effect). Results. A total of 545 university students were included in the analysis (mean age 20.36±3.9 years, 74.7% women). Prehypertension prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), (56.5% in men and 13% in women). The condition of prehypertension was directly associated to the body mass index (OR:1.194; 95% CI:1.124-1.311), insulin resistance (R-HOMA, OR:2.638; 95% CI:1.263-4.926) and to the index or quantification of the severity of the metabolic syndrome (OR:4-868; 95% CI:3-846-8-328). On the other hand, HDL-c showed an inverse relationship with prehypertension (OR:0.981; 95% CI:0.957-0.993). Conclusions. One out of every four young adults presents prehypertension. This condition is associated to well-established vascular risk factors(AU)

[Arterial pre-hypertension in young adults]. / Prehipertensión arterial en adultos jóvenes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prehypertension is a new category of blood pressure and is considered a cardiovascular risk factor. This study has aimed to estimate the prevalence of prehypertension and the association between prehypertension and other vascular risk factors in young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First year university students from all areas of study in the University of Cuenca were invited to participate. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure between 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure between 80-89 mmHg. Anthropometric, lipid and metabolic variables were measures. The presence of metabolic syndrome was evaluated and quantified based on the sum of the standardized scores of the waist circumference, the triglyceride/c-HDL ratio, mean blood pressure and R-HOMA (Index of insulin resistance to glucose lowering effect). RESULTS: A total of 545 university students were included in the analysis (mean age 20.36±3.9 years, 74.7% women). Prehypertension prevalence was 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), (56.5% in men and 13% in women). The condition of prehypertension was directly associated to the body mass index (OR: 1.194; 95% CI: 1.124-1.311), insulin resistance (R-HOMA, OR: 2.638; 95% CI: 1.263-4.926) and to the index or quantification of the severity of the metabolic syndrome (OR: 4-868; 95% CI: 3-846-8-328). On the other hand, HDL-c showed an inverse relationship with prehypertension (OR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.957-0.993). CONCLUSIONS: One out of every four young adults presents prehypertension. This condition is associated to well-established vascular risk factors.