Feeding Habits, Lifestyle Pattern And Prevalence Of Hypertension Of Adults In Ughelli North Local Government Area

ABSTRACT

 Poor diet (high consumption of sugar, salt, and saturated fat, ) and unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity) have been identified as a major risk factor of hypertension and cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study was conducted to assess the feeding habit, lifestyle pattern and prevalence of hypertension among traders in Ughelli north local government area, delta state. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 400 adults selected by simple random sampling technique. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were done for the participants, together with questionnaire administration. High prevalence of unhealthy eating habits was recorded among the participants; 45.1% eat their largest meal at breakfast, 57.9% eat snacks every day, 40.0% drink carbonated drinks, 4 — 5 times weekly or more. Also, 52.3% live a sedentary lifestyle, 6.7% currently smoke cigarette and 73.3% had consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. Similarly, the prevalence of overweight (29.2%), obesity (37.7%) and hypertension (64.9%) was high among the participants. This study showed that there was a high prevalence of unhealthy feeding habits (high consumption of sugar, salt, saturated fat) and lifestyle patterns (smoking, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity), which subsequently led to a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension among Adults in Ughelli North Local Government Delta state. Health education and other interventions to promote healthy eating habits and lifestyle, especially among high risk groups are suggested.