Prevalence of Obesity and Its Effect on Blood Pressure Control in Bida, North-Central Nigeria: A Hospital Based Cross-sectional Study

Background: Obesity is one of the commonest cardiovascular risk factor that affects blood pressure control, but there is lack of data regarding the prevalence of overweight and obesity in hypertensives and their relationship. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of obesity and its impact on blood pressure control amongst hypertensives in a rural hospital setting in North-Central Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, hospital-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Cardiology clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Northcentral Nigeria, between June and October 2013.

Methodology: We recruited 414 hypertensives (204 men, 210 women; age range 21-84 years) adults with arterial hypertension. The blood pressure was measured and data on anthropometric indices were collected using a questionnaire. The weight and height was measured, used to calculate the body mass index and to classify the participants into obese and nonobese.

Results: The mean age of the hypertensives was 53.09 ± 12.30 years. Out of the 414 participants, obesity occurred in 183 (44.2%) of the participants and more in those in the 45-54 years age range. Out of these, 93 (50.82%) had class I obesity, 55 (30.05%) class II obesity and class III obesity was found in 35 (19.13%) of the hypertensives. Blood pressure control was poor in 105 (57.4%) and 82 (35.5%) of hypertensives with and without obesity respectively. The BMI correlated with age r=-0.375 p=0.000, systolic blood pressure -0.181 p=0.014 and diastolic blood pressure r=0.439 p= 0.000.

Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity is high in hypertensive individuals even in a rural hospital setting and blood pressure control is poor in those who are obese. Public health measures aimed at reducing obesity should be incorporated in the overall management of arterial hypertension.