Blood pressure follows a circadian variation i.e. it falls at night during sleep (nocturnal dipping) and rises in the morning. Lack of nocturnal dipping predisposes to various cardiovascular diseases. Obesity is increasing day by day especially in younger age. It may be considered as a risk factor for various cardio metabolic diseases like hypertension, diabetes. The present study was designed to investigate the association of various obesity parameters with circadian variation of blood pressure as assessed by dipper state. 60 healthy young adults of age between 20 to 35 years were enrolled. Subjects with any H/o hypertension, cardiovascular, renal disorders were excluded. BMI was calculated. Waist circumference (WC) was measured in cms. Skinfold thickness was measured using Harpendent skinfold calipers and body fat percentage was calculated using Durnin-Womersley formula. 24 hours Ambulatory Blood Pressure was measured using Contec Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (ABPM). ABPM was set to measure BP every 15 min during daytime and every 30-min in night time while sleeping. Subjects were divided into two groups according to their dipper profile, as defined: dippers (nocturnal decrease in systolic BP was  10% of daytime BP) and non-dippers (nocturnal decrease in systolic BP was <10% of daytime BP). The average BMI, waist circumference and body fat percentage were significantly more in non-dippers than dippers. Non-dippers even if normotensives are at more risk of cardiovascular complications. Hence, ABPM should be performed in obese individuals to know their dipper state and assess the risk of cardiovascular complications associated with non-dipping.

Keywords: BMI; Waist Circumference; Body Fat Percentage; Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring; Non Dipper.