Relationship between Somatotype and Blood Pressure in a Group of Institutionalized Venezuelan Elders

Abstract

Background: Somatotype, as an indirect measure of estimating body composition, provides an easy and comprehensive picture of body shape. Multiple investigations have shown the existence of an association between somatotype components and cardiovascular disease. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the association of somatotype with blood pressure during ageing. Methods: The Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype and both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were recorded. The sample included 809 healthy institutionalized elders (370 males and 439 females) from geriatric units in Caracas, Venezuela. Ages ranged from 60 to 102 years. Product-moment correlation coefficients between somatotype components and both blood pressure readings were calculated. Principal component analysis and homogeneity analysis by means of alternative least squares tests were also performed. Results: Females were more endomorphic and mesomorphic than males. Males were more ectomorphic than females. SBP showed a downward tendency with age in males, while in females the tendency was for the SBP to increase. Correlations among variables were from low to moderate and ranged from –0.37 to +0.34 in males, and from –0.18 to +0.32 in females. Correlations tended to be stronger in the younger age group and differences between sexes were found. A negative tendency in the correlation between ectomorphy and both SBP and DBP was found, except for the oldest age group, for which the correlation was positive. Endomorphy and mesomorphy showed a stable correlation pattern with blood pressure in males, while in females this pattern was more irregular and less consistent. Conclusion: Individuals with high levels of SBP and DBP had mean somatotypes, which were similar to those of other male groups characterized by myocardial infarct, coronary heart disease and the risk of hypertension, indicating that these somatotypes may be associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In particular, our results indicate that individuals who present a cardiovascular risk profile are more endomorphic and mesomorphic and less ectomorphic than those with a lower cardiovascular risk profile.

Somatotype, diet and nutritional status of women

“…Studies show that people with endomorphy somatotype have a higher risk of: diabetes mellitus (Yeung 2010), hypertension (William et al 2000, Badenhorst et al 2003, Herrera et al 2004), metabolic syndrome (Martinez et al 2012;Galic et al 2016) and cancer (Bertrand 2013). The first study that investigated the relationship between somatotype and disease was conducted in the 1920s.…”

Age Changes in Somatotype Components of Rural and Urban Punjabi Brahmin Females

“…Number of studies has summarized the information related to somatotype changes (Singh and Sidhu 1980;Singal and Sidhu 1984;Gaur and Singh 1997;Koleva et al 2000;Ghosh and Malik 2004;Herrera et al 2004;Buffa et al 2005, Bhasin andJain 2007); but there is no report on this aspect among aged Punjabi Brahmin females residing in rural and urban areas. So, the analysis of present data focuses attention towards the age changes in somatotype components of rural and urban Punjabi Brahmin females.…”

Evidence for Higher Heritability of Somatotype Compared to Body Mass Index in Female Twins

“…It may also be used to detect a tendency to the appearance of specific health disorders, i.e. metabolic disorders or mental disorders (Sivkov and Akabaliev, 1999;Herrera et al, 2004). Indeed, the Heath-Carter method of assessment has been widely used for different purposes.…”