ABSTRACT

This study assessed the anthropometric variables and blood pressure of adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area, in Abia state. A total of 439 adults were selected from Umuahia North Local Government Area, using a Multi-stage sampling technique. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables and blood pressure measurement were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire. Data obtained were described using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between anthropometric variables and blood pressure. The socio-demographic information of the participants showed that 50.1% of the study participants were from Afara, while (49.9%) were from Amuzukwu. The result revealed that the majority of the respondents were females (54.9%), majority of the males had normal body mass index, majority of the females were overweight, majority of the females were obese, majority of the females had high risk hip ratio. Furthermore, the findings in this study revealed that majority of the females had prehypertension, majority of the males respondent had stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension. The relationship between anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure of the respondents, revealed that systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with weight (r= 0.148, p = < 0.01), Waist Circumference (r = 0.204, p = < 0.01), BMI (r =0.118, pwe're 0.05). In addition, diastolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with weight (r = 0.173, p = < 0.01), waist circumference (r= 0.192, p h < 0.01), Hip Circumference (r =0.095, p = <0.05), MUAC =(r= 0.109, p= <0.05), BMI (r = 0.124, p = 0.01), waist-hip-ratio (r =0.138, p = < 0.01). In conclusion, it revealed that some Anthropometric variables i.e, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index were positively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.