Impact of obesity on arterial health among young adults: A bioelectrical impedance study.

The relationship between obesity and early arterial stiffness in young adults remains inadequately understood despite the increasing prevalence of obesity-related cardiovascular risk. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate 132 healthy individuals aged 18-25 years to assess the relationship between obesity and arterial stiffness markers (PWV, Ao-PP, AIx) using bioelectrical impedance and oscillometric pulse wave analysis. Obese participants showed significantly higher Ao-PP and AIx (p < 0.05), while carotid-femoral PWV showed no significant difference. BMI had weak associations with arterial stiffness, whereas body fat percentage correlated significantly with Ao-PP and AIx. Thus, obesity in young adults is associated with early functional vascular changes, with body composition measures providing better early risk indicators than BMI.