Objectives: 1. To correlate BMI with Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index (AASI) 2. To correlate Waist Circumference with AASI 3. To correlate body fat percentage with AASI 4. To determine the best predictor of AASI amongst the obesity parameters Methodology: 30 healthy young adults of age between 20 to 35 years were enrolled in the study. Subjects with any H/o hypertension, cardiovascular, renal disorders were excluded. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight/height2 (kg/m2). Waist circumference (WC) was measured midway between lower rib margin and anterior superior iliac spine. Skinfold thickness was measured using Harpendent skinfold calipers at four sites viz triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac. Body-fat percentage was calculated using Durnin-Womersley formula. 24 hours Ambulatory Blood Pressure was measured using Contec Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor (AMBP). AASI was calculated by the formula one minus the regression slope of diastolic BP over systolic BP. Results: There was a positive correlation between AASI and BMI, WC and fat percentage with correlation coefficients of 0.715 (p < 0.01), 0.735 (p < 0.01) and 0.646 (p < 0.01) respectively. Since the WC had strongest correlation with AASI, WC can be considered as the strongest predictor of AASI. Conclusion: AASI is a predictor of arterial stiffness. As the BMI, WC and fat % the AASI increases. Amongst them WC had the strongest relation with AASI. Increase in AASI predispose to peripheral arterial diseases including coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease. So, controlling obesity is a must to prevent peripheral arterial diseases.

Keywords: AASI; BMI; Waist circumference; Body fat percentage.