Abstract

Background: Obesity has become a major global problem leading to diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the association between body fat percentage (BF%) and cardiac workload by rate pressure product (RPP) in healthy young adults.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 young healthy medical students of the age group of aged between 17 and 22 years in a medical college. BF% along with body water, bone mass, body mass index (BMI), visceral fat, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and muscle mass was measured using a commercially available digital weight scale incorporating a bioelectric impedance analysis new double electrode technology. RPP was assessed by systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR). Statistical analysis was done using unpaired t-test for comparison of variables such as body water, bone mass, BMI, visceral fat, BMR, muscle mass, SBP, diastolic blood pressure, HR, and RPP. Correlation between RPP and BF% was done by Karl Pearson’s correlation. P = 0.05 or less was considered as statistically significant.
Results: There was positive statistically significant relationship between BF% and RPP. There was increase in BF, visceral fat, and RPP in males when compared to females. Conclusion: There exists a positive association between BF% and RPP. RPP acts as early predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. Hence, early prevention can be undertaken to prevent the disease burden at young age.