Comparison of child adiposity indices in prediction of hypertension in early adulthood

We aimed to compare child body mass index (BMI) in prediction of hypertension in early adulthood with 4 other adiposity indices (waist circumference WC], waist circumference‐to‐height ratio WHtR], waist‐to‐hip ratio WHR], and triceps skinfold TSF]). The cohort from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 1993‐2011 consisted of 1444 adults aged 18‐36 years who were examined in childhood and early adulthood. Child adiposity indices and adult blood pressure (BP) were transformed into age‐, sex‐, and survey year‐specific Z‐scores. Adult hypertension was defined as BP ≥130/80 mm Hg as per the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Adult hypertension prevalence was 32.9% during a mean follow‐up of 10.1 years. Childhood BMI showed stronger correlation with adult BP than WHR and TSF (P_S for difference <.05). Child BMI showed the better prediction of adult hypertension compared with WHtR, WHR, and TSF using area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (P_S for difference <.05). Per SD change in the predictor, child BMI (relative risk 95% confidence interval], 1.11 1.04‐1.18]) and WC (1.12 1.05‐1.20]) were significantly associated with adult hypertension using covariate‐adjusted Poisson models with robust standard errors. Child BMI performed equally or better compared with 4 other adiposity indices in predicting adult hypertension.