A study on correlation of body mass index with handgrip strength and blood pressure indices among young adults in a tertiary care centre of jharkhand

Background

Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used surrogate marker of nutritional and adiposity status. Handgrip strength (HGS), measured conveniently with a hand-held dynamometer, is a simple, inexpensive and reproducible indicator of overall muscular strength and general health, while blood pressure (BP) indices reflect early cardiovascular risk. Young adulthood is a formative period during which unfavourable trends in body composition and blood pressure often begin, yet region-specific data from Jharkhand remain limited. The objective is to assess the correlation of BMI with handgrip strength and blood pressure indices, and to identify associated risk factors among young adults attending a tertiary care centre of Jharkhand. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 114 young adults aged 18–25 years, selected by consecutive sampling. Anthropometric measurements, handgrip strength (Jamar hand-held dynamometer) and blood pressure (digital sphygmomanometer) were recorded using a pre-tested proforma. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, applying Pearson's correlation, Chi-square test and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval; p<0.05 was taken as statistically significant.