Abstract
Background: The autonomous dysfunction associated with obesity could lead to changes in resting heart rate (RHR), which has been linked with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Scanty data is available on RHR among young adults of non-obese (NW) and obese (OB).

Aims & Objective: The present study was aimed at determining the effect of body composition and adiposity on RHR

Materials and Methods: Study was conducted on medical students (n= 132, age: 19-20 years) in Davangere, India. Anthropometric measures were obtained and BMI, WC, HC, WSR were measured. Body fat percentage (BF %), Fat mass (FM) were estimated and Fat Free Mass (FFM) was calculated. RHR was measured using a standard ECG after complete rest. Pearson’s correlations (r) were computed obesity indices and RHR. ANOVA & Independent t test as appropriate were used to compare RHR between non-obese (NW) and obese (OB).

Results: The obesity indices showed 40.1% students were generally obese (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2). Central obesity (WC > 85 cm OR WSR > 50.0) was found in 34.1% (WC Mean = 86.1 ± 2.7; WSR Mean = 0.52 ± 0.02). Obese group presented with comparatively continuous faster RHR (Mean 80.21 ± 3.8 bpm) and was significantly positively correlated with obesity indices BMI, WC, WSR, FFM (r = 0.476, 0.678, 0.332, 0.617 respectively).

Conclusion: RHR had higher values and significantly positive correlation with obesity indices among obese group compared to non-obese individuals (p<0.05). A significantly higher RHR points towards an altered autonomic balance in obese young adults. This underscores the need to implement health education program to combat obesity among young adults.

Key words: Resting Heart Rate; Obesity; Young Adults; Body Mass Index; Waist-Hip Ratio