Dual-Energy X-Ray absorptiometry associates total body fat and bone mineral content with elevated blood pressure in adult divers

Abstract

Abstract To describe the handgrip strength, lifestyle patterns (i.e., physical activity), and body composition of Chilean adult divers of different blood pressure status. Secondly, to associate body fat (BF), fat˗free mass (FFM), and bone mineral content (BMC) with blood pressure. A cross-sectional study was conducted in adult divers men. Participants were categorized into; hypertensive (HTN, n  = 41), high blood pressure (HBP, n  = 19), or normotensive (NT, n  = 35). Primary outcomes were blood pressure, Total and segmental BF %, FFM, and BMC assessed by dual-X absorptiometry. Secondary outcomes comprised handgrip strength (HGS av ), repetitions in Ruffier test and physical activity. Total and segmental BF % were consistently higher in HTN compared with HBP and NT divers, particularly in total BF (+ 2.8%), arms (BF A +2.8%), right arm (BF RA +1.4 to + 3.2%), left arm (BF LA +1.6 to + 2.5%), and trunk (BF T +3.4%; all P  ≤ 0.05). Age (β = 0.4, [95%CI] 0.1; 0.6, P  = 0.0004) and total BF % (β = 1.0, [95%CI] 0.1; 0.6, P  = 0.0004) were significant predictors of SBP in Chilean divers. Total fat-free mass (FFM) does not significantly predict SBP or DBP. Total BMC shows a significant association with SBP (β = − 0.007, [95%CI] − 0.01; 0.0002, P  = 0.050). Hypertensive Chilean divers show a linear trend to decrease HGS av , low cardiovascular fitness, and higher BF than NT peers. There was a significant association between Total BF and Total BMC parameters with both SBP, where segmentally FFM of legs and left leg was associated with both SBP and DBP.