ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY MASS INDEX AND BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG HOUSEWIVES OF TIRUPATI TOWN, ANDHRA PRADESH

E. Hareesha, D. Anwar Basha, J. Lalu Naik, K S N. Reddy*

ABSTRACT

In the present study an attempt has been made to know the association between body mass index and blood pressure in housewives from Tirupati town of Andhra Pradesh, India. Data on body mass index, waist and hip circumference, waist hip ratio, blood pressure, other demographic and life style measures are collected from 618 healthy housewives. The percentage prevalence is hypertensives 17%; overweight and obesity: 28.45% and 18.77%. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure show significant variation across the BMI quintiles in hypertensives. A clear cut of increase is seen in systolic, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate from normal weight to obese (p<0.05) in hypertensives. In hypertensives a gradual increase is seen in blood pressure and BMI with increase in waist, hip circumferences and WHR values (p<0.05). This inference clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the effect exerted by body mass index in developing hypertension among housewives.

Keywords: Body mass index. Blood pressure. WHR. Housewives.