Abstract

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for mortality in South Asian countries. The overweight-obesity status in India is increasing faster than the global average, especially in vulnerable and low-income communities. The purpose of this study is to explore the association between BMI and hypertension in a sample population from Ahwa, Dang District, Gujarat, India.

A cross-sectional chart review study was conducted using secondary data of patients from medical outreach camps in Ahwa, Dang District, Gujarat, India (2018 and 2019). Hypertension was defined by American Heart Association cut-offs for blood pressure. BMI was calculated using height and weight measurements using WHO and South Asian cut-offs used for nutritional status indicators. Odds ratios estimated strength of association of hypertension and nutritional status.

A total of 953 adults were included in the study. Age-specific prevalence of hypertension was high in the sample population from Gujarat, India. Male hypertension declined at age 55-64 years and increased at 64+ years. Individuals with overweight-obese status had higher odds of being hypertensive when compared to normal and underweight individuals.

The association between overweight-obese status and hypertension was positive. Using South Asian cutoffs (BMI>23) includes a wider range of people at risk for hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and other chronic disease. A focus on reducing BMI will help in lowering the high burden of hypertension, improving the health and quality of life in the Ahwa region. This can be accomplished with a collective sense of awareness and public health interventions targeting a reduction in BMI.