Association Of Body Mass Index and Haemodynamic Parameters With Change In Altitude In Healthy Young Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Environmental conditions play a significant role in an individual’s health. It has been suggested that change in environmental conditions and altitude greatly affect human health. Change in environmental factors and unhealthy life style can affect cardiovascular, respiratory and cognitive functions and can lead to various health related problems. There is also an association of change in BMI with altitude. So, the present study was planned to find the association of body mass index and haemodynamic parameters with altitude in healthy young adults.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To find out association between Body mass index and haemodynamic parameters (blood pressure and pulse rate) with change in altitude in two groups.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the department of Physiology, MMMC&H Kumarhatti, Solan. Our study included 150 subjects and they were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised of 75 subjects residing permanently at high altitude and Group B, who has been residing in low altitude areas. After informed consent as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria, Haemodynamic parameters were assessed by measuring Blood Pressure (BP) and Pulse rate (PR) and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated for assessment of anthropometric parameters. Collected data was statistically analysed using SPSS computer program for window version 21.0.
RESULTS: This study revealed that BMI of the subjects residing in low altitude areas was higher as compared to the subjects residing permanently at higher altitude and it was statistically significant (P<0.01). Systolic BP, diastolic BP and pulse rate was slightly increased in the subjects from low altitude areas, but was statistically non-significant.
CONCLUSION: In our study, BMI of the subjects who have been permanently living at low altitude was significantly higher as compared to the subjects who have been permanently residing at high altitude in Himachal Pradesh. Increased BMI is known to result in various health diseases and complications. Findings of our study reinforce the need to adopt healthy life style practices.