Objective:To investigate the relationships between waist circumference (WC)、waist circumference to heigh tratio (WHtR)

waist tohip ratio(WHR)and blood pressure. Methods:A school based

cross-sectional studywas conducted in the urban Chongqingin 2003 and 2004. A total 7 326(3 603 boys)Han students aged 5 to 17 years were recruited from 15 primary schools and 9 secondary schools. Weight

height

WC

and hip circumference were measured according to the international criteria and blood pressure was measured with the mercury sphygmomanometer. The body mass index(BMI)

WHtR and WHR were calculated. The relations between blood pressure and different anthropometric variables in both genders were investigated in partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: The prevalence ofabnormal blood pressure was 3.86%(4.61% for boys

3.06% for girls). WC and WHtR were positively related with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in both sexes and WC was the most relevant

whereas the relationships with WHR were less consistent. The differences ofWCand WHtR between normal groups and abnormal groups(WC≥90th

WHtR≥0.5

WHR≥0.85 for girls

WHR≥0.90 for boys)were more significant than that of WHR. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis to explain the variance of blood pressure

age

WC

WHtR

WHR were influence factors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. WC was the most significant predictor for all variables both for boys and girls

whereas WHR had the lowest predictive value for the detection of blood pressure. Adjusted odds ratios for predicting pathological values of blood pressure were significant higher for the highest WHtR and WC groups (6～7 times). Conclusion:WC and WHtR are independently related to blood pressure level in children and adolescents and WC is the best predictor of the risk of hypertension

followed byWHtR

WHR is the last.