Enhanced body shape change coupled with PA is the key to hypertension management for urban residents

The present study aimed to assess the relationship between body shape, physical activity (PA), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). A novel visualization method was used to examine the effects of body shape combined with physical activity on hypertension. Data from 54,303 participants were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) and analyzed using logistic regression models and standardized regression coefficients of linear models. These models were used to explore factors and effects of body shape indices and other parameters on SBP and DBP. The logistic regression model revealed that compared to transport-related PA, the aggregated variables (weight and waist) were associated with a 2.44-fold and 1.65-fold increase in the risk of hypertension, respectively (p < .05). The average aggregated standardized coefficient of the linear model, based on 1000 bootstrap resamples, indicated that the Base Shape group had the strongest explanatory power for hypertension, followed by the Habits group. However, the explanatory power of the PA group was around 10 and 22 times lower than that of the Base Shape group for DBP and SBP, respectively (p < .05). These results demonstrate that increasing physical activity, with emphasizing a healthy body shape, and adopting positive lifestyle habits can effectively contribute to the prevention and control of hypertension.