The Prevalence Of Obesity, Hypertension And Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype And The Relationship Between Obesity And Hypertension In Female Undergraduates.

ABSTRACT

The quickened pace of change and modification of lifestyles by young adults in developing countries has led to a rise in the incidence of hypertension, obesity, and hypertriglyceridemic- waist phenotype in such populations. A study of the prevalence of obesity, hypertension and hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype and the relationship between obesity and hypertension in females was conducted at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOI.MU), Abia state, Nigeria. A total of 700 female students were recruited for the study. Anthropometric data were collected, Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and blood pressure measured using standard protocols. Of the total population, 50 volunteers donated blood for the estimation of serum triacyiglycerol concentration. The prevalence of obesity was 24.54%. The prevalence of hypertension was 0.14%. The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic- waist phenotype was 2.00% while for elevated blood pressure, it was 8.57%. Blood pressures was positively and significantly correlated with BMI in the general population (SBP: r+0.146; P<0.000, DBP: r= +0.129; P=0.001) and in normotensive subjects (SBP: r +0.134; P 0.002, DBP: r +0.116; P= 0.007) but not in subjects with elevated blood pressure (SBP: r -0.016; P= 0.845, DBP: r +0.088; P 0.284).The results indicate that obesity is highly prevalent in this population. The correlation between obesity and blood pressure calls for urgent public health action aimed at addressing the situation, especially in normotensive females.