Familial correlation and aggregation of body mass index and blood pressure in Chinese Han population

Abstract

BackgroundIt remains unclear whether the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) profile are clustered within families in Chinese Han population. The aim of this study is to explore familial aggregation and parent-offspring correlations of BMI and blood pressure in Chinese Han population.Methods6,369 Han nucleus families, consisting of parents and at least one biological adult child who were living together, were enrolled from the nation-wide cross-sectional study (China National Nutrition and Health Survey) which was conducted in 2002, with a total number of 19,107 participants aged 18–64 years (6,369 sets of parents, 4,132 sons and 2,237 daughters). Family aggregation (Intra-class correlations, ICCs) and parent-offspring correlations in BMI, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were estimated using linear mixed effect regression models.ResultsBMI and BP levels in two generations and ICCs of BMI, SBP and DBP varied across the country. Familial aggregation of overweight/obesity was observed in rural area (ICC = 5.4%, p<0.05), and high BP (defined as SBP ≥ 120 mmHg or DBP ≥ 80 mmHg) was more common in low income families (ICC = 4.4%, p<0.05) compared to middle income (ICC = 1.9%) and high income families (ICC = 2.6%). Additionally, offspring with more parents being overweight/obese tend to have higher BMI. The similar trend was found for high BP. However, we did not observe that same-sex parent-offspring correlations of BMI and BP were stronger than the correlations for mother-son or father-daughter.ConclusionsOur study suggested that familial environments, alongside the impact of genetic factors, could be important non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) risk factors. Family-based intervention taking both mother and father into account might have great potential in NCD prevention for younger generation.

Parental body mass index and blood pressure are associated with higher body mass index and blood pressure in their adult offspring: a cross‐sectional study in a resource‐limited setting in northern Peru

“…A study in Korea with adolescents revealed a positive BP correlation between parents and children; of note, regarding the dyads mother–son and mother–daughter, the correlation was significant for DBP only . With regard to adults, a study with Chinese Han population revealed that higher DBP or SBP of the father and mother was associated with higher SBP in the offspring . A possible explanation for our discrepant results could be lack of statistical power because some confidence intervals were close to significance.…”

“…Our results showed that higher BMI of both parents was associated with higher BMI of the offspring. Other studies have shown similar results . A study in China with 23–24‐year‐old offspring reported that, as father's and mother's BMI increased, so did the offspring's .…”

“…Other studies have shown similar results . A study in China with 23–24‐year‐old offspring reported that, as father's and mother's BMI increased, so did the offspring's . An Australian study reached a similar conclusion, but also assessing other obesity indicators (e.g.…”

“…Our results showed that there was a correlation between mother's SBP and that of the offspring; nevertheless, results were not conclusive regarding father's SBP or either parent DBP. Previous reports have yielded more conclusive results . A study in Korea with adolescents revealed a positive BP correlation between parents and children; of note, regarding the dyads mother–son and mother–daughter, the correlation was significant for DBP only .…”

“…Johnson et al . suggested that the different size effects between mother/father and offspring regarding BMI could be explained by genetic factors, but most importantly by environmental ones, because same‐sex transmission of genes is not the commonest Mendelian trait . Then, the same‐sex resemblance could be explained by factors such as physical activity or diet profiles.…”