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Full text of article
'Rai S, Singh MS, 2023: OBESITY, AGE AND SEX AS RISK FACTORS OF
HYPERTENSION IN SIKKIM, NORTHEAST INDIA. Anthropologie (Brno) 61, 2: 167-179'. |
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Abstract | It has been observed that hypertension is multi-factorial, where some risk factors are modifiable and some
are non-modifiable. The present study examines obesity, sex and age as risk factors of hypertension among the adult
urban population of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, Northeast India. The data was collected from 343 men and 657
women aged between 20-60 years from three communities namely, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali. Anthropometric data
and blood pressure was collected from the study population. One way ANOVA, t-test and chi-square was calculated to
test the significance. Stepwise linear regression was used to determine the risk factors of systolic and diastolic pressure.
Binomial logistic regression was used to predict the adjusted odd ratio for risk of hypertension. The prevalence of
hypertension in men and women was 30.32 percent and 19.63 percent respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was
significantly higher in obese men (general obese = 50.35%, increased waist circumference = 57.14%, substantially
increased waist hip ratio = 42.54%) and women (general obese = 28.66%, increased waist circumference = 27.63%,
substantially increased waist hip ratio = 27.37%). 50 percent of the older adults were hypertensive. The mean systolic
blood pressure and diastolic pressure were significantly higher among obese groups. Adults with increasing obesity,
advancing age and men are at greater risks of hypertension. Behavioural factor like alcohol consumption also possesses a risk for elevated pressure in the present study. Awareness, conscientious lifestyle modification and inclusive urbanization are necessary to reduce the burden of obesity and hypertension. | | Keywords | Obesity – Hypertension – Sikkim – Urbanisation | | DOI | https://doi.org/10.26720/anthro.23.04.24.1 | |
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