Influence of Childhood and Adulthood Obesity on Arterial Stiffnes and Central Blood Pressure in Men

Aim. To study the effect of obesity in childhood and adulthood on the indices of arterial stiffness, central aortic pressure in the population sample of men 42 to 43 years. Methods. The study is part of a 32-year prospective cohort monitoring of males, beginning with childhood (11-12 years). 303 (30.1%) of the representatives of the initial population sample (n=1005) were examined after 32 years. 290 people are included into the analysis. The average age of men at the time of the examination was 42.9 years. The study included a survey on a standard questionnaire, measurement of anthropometric indicators, blood pressure (BP), pulse counting. The stiffness of the arterial wall and central pressure was measured by the applanation tonometry. Results. Normal body weight was found in 95 of 290 men (32.8%) at the age of 43 years, weight gain - in 111 (38.3%) and obesity - in 84 (28.9%). Men with obesity and overweight in adulthood had a statistically significant increase in body weight as early as in childhood. Central aortic BP (CBP), as a surrogate vascular rigidity index, was statistically significantly higher in obesity and overweight groups. A statistically significant positive relationship between the indicators characterizing childhood obesity (the Quetelet index, the thickness of skin folds), and the level of blood pressure in childhood was found in the correlation analysis. A positive correlation between the thickness of skin folds in childhood with CBP in adulthood, as well as a weak positive relationship between peripheral systolic BP (pSBP) in childhood and central systolic BP (cSBP) in adulthood have been found. From potential predictors evaluated at the age of 12 years and included in the regression model only the thickness of the skin fold under the scapula affected cSBP at the age of 43. The increase in the thickness of skin fold under the scapula in childhood at 1 mm is associated with an increase in cSBP by 0.4 mm Hg in the adult state. Among the predictors evaluated in adulthood, pSBP, peripheral diastolic BP (pDBP), and the Quetelet index have a statistically significant effect on the level of cSBP. The thickness of the skin fold on the abdomen at the age of 12 influenced central diastolic BP (cDBP) level at the age of 43. A statistically significant effect on the cDBP level was provided by pDBP, obesity rates among potential predictors evaluated in adulthood. Conclusion. Central aortic pressure in adulthood is maximally dependent on increased peripheral blood pressure and obesity. Only obesity was important among children's predictors (12 years of age).