Body composition predicts hypertension using machine learning methods: a cohort study

Abstract We used machine learning methods to investigate if body composition indices predict hypertension. Data from a cohort study was used, and 4663 records were included (2156 were male, 1099 with hypertension, with the age range of 35–70 years old). Body composition analysis was done using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); weight, basal metabolic rate, total and regional fat percentage (FATP), and total and regional fat-free mass (FFM) were measured. We used machine learning methods such as Support Vector Classifier, Decision Tree, Stochastic Gradient Descend Classifier, Logistic Regression, Gaussian Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbor, Multi-Layer Perceptron, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Histogram-based Gradient Boosting, Bagging, Extra Tree, Ada Boost, Voting, and Stacking to classify the investigated cases and find the most relevant features to hypertension. FATP, AFFM, BMR, FFM, TRFFM, AFATP, LFATP, and older age were the top features in hypertension prediction. Arm FFM, basal metabolic rate, total FFM, Trunk FFM, leg FFM, and male gender were inversely associated with hypertension, but total FATP, arm FATP, leg FATP, older age, trunk FATP, and female gender were directly associated with hypertension. AutoMLP, stacking and voting methods had the best performance for hypertension prediction achieving an accuracy rate of 90%, 84% and 83%, respectively. By using machine learning methods, we found that BIA-derived body composition indices predict hypertension with acceptable accuracy.