Phase Angle and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in University Students

Abstract

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an easy, safe, inexpensive and noninvasive method to evaluate body composition. Moreover, it allows the assessment of phase angle (PA), a biomarker reflecting cellular stability and hydration, which is also useful to assess nutritional status as well as a prognostic marker of clinical conditions and disease progression monitoring. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between PA and cardiovascular risk factors in students at the University of Health of the State of Mexico. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were considered risk factors.  Ninety-seven students (18 males and 79 females) with an average age of 21 years from the bachelor’s degrees of Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Gerontology were included in this study. The results show that the mean PA was higher in men than in women, and a normal range was identified according to the cut-off points for healthy adult population. Men and women with overweight were found by BMI. On the other hand, statistically significant differences were seen between men and women in triacylglycerols levels and WHR. Finally, PA presented a statistically significant positive correlation with triacylglycerols levels (r=0.255, p=0.12) and WHR (r=0.248, p=0.014). Therefore, there are cardiovascular risk factors related to PA, this biomarker may be a predictor of cardiovascular risk in apparently healthy young adults.