OBESITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ADULTS IN UMUAHIA NORTH LGA, ABIA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study was aimed at assessing the relationship between obesity and blood pressure among adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia state. The study was a cross-sectional survey comprising of 439 randomly selected respondents. A total of 439 adults were selected from urban communities in Umuahia North LGA. A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics. Anthropometric measurement (Height, Weight, Waist circumference and Hip circumference)was carried out in all standard procedure and blood pressure was measured using electronic sphygmomanometer. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. A P value of less than 0.05 was accepted as statistics for significance. More than half of the participants (54.9% ) were females, while 45.1% were males. About 21.2% of the males had stage 1 hypertension, while,17.0% females had stage 1 hypertension. The prevalence of overweight was 29..4% of the sample population while obesity was 21.2% . There was a significant relationship between BMI and systolic pressure (r = 0.118; p = 0.014). The findings from this study show that hypertension increase with an increasing BMI. Educational programs on dangers of hypertension and obesity to health are recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is diagnosed by measuring the weight in relation to the height of an individual (Shu-Zhong et al., 2016). For adults, World Health Organization (WHO) defined overweight as a BMI greater than or equal to 25kg/m²; while obesity as a BMI greater than or equal to 30 kg/m² (WHO, 2019). Accordingly, the prevalence of obesity is on the increase in children and adults worldwide, despite WHO warnings. Excessive weight gain remains among the most neglected public health issues worldwide, while obesity is associated with increasing risks of disability, illness and death (Shu-Zhong et al., 2016). Weight gain has been associated with increases in arterial pressure, and it has been estimated that 60–70% of hypertension in adults is attributable to adiposity (Theodore, 2010). According to WHO, in 2005, approximately 1.6 billion adults over the age of 15 were overweight (Gill et al., 2005). At least 400 million adults were considered obese and ≥20 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight (WHO, 2005). The estimation for 2015 was approximately 2.3 billion overweight adults and over 700 million obese ones (O'Connor, 2013). In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight and from this population, over 650 million were obese (WHO, 2018).

Overweight and obesity lead to adverse metabolic effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin resistance (WHO, 2002). Risks of coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and type 2 diabetes mellitus increase steadily with increasing body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight relative to height. Raised body mass index also increases the risk of cancer of the breast, colon, prostate, endometrium, kidney and gall bladder (WHO, 2002). Mortality rates increase with increasing degrees of overweight, as measured by body mass index (WHO, 2019).

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, particularly hypertension and diabetes, are the main illnesses associated with obesity (Shu-Zhong et al., 2016). Hypertension (especially high blood pressure) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases (NDCs) affecting adults all over the world. It is now being widely reported in Africa and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease on the continent (Lukwiya, 2013). It is also a major factor in the high mortality of adults in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO, 2003). This situation may be high in Nigeria where ‘plumpness’ is regarded as a sign of affluence. By itself, hypertension has no early recognizable symptoms and, as a result, patients with hypertension often come to medical attention late when they already have developed complications such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney failure, all of which are major causes of death in the adult population (Osamor, 2011). In this regard, the need for the study on the relationship between obesity and blood pressure is therefore necessary in the regulation of blood pressure and further prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in all age groups (Villareal et al., 2005). World Health Organisation report on Global Health Observatory (GHO) data of mean body mass index (BMI) situation and trend, states that worldwide, at least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese, and an estimated 35.8 million (2.3%) of global DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) are caused by overweight or obesity (WHO, 2019).

In Africa, the prevalence of obesity was as high as 63.8% and 21.3% respectively, for men and women in sub-Saharan Africa while in Nigeria, the prevalence of obesity in adults ranged from 8.1% - 22.2%, although, this is of epidemic proportions (Chukwuonye et al., 2013).

Globally an estimated 26% of the world’s population (972 million people) has hypertension and the prevalence is expected to increase by 2025 (WHO, 2008). The high prevalence of hypertension exacts a tremendous publichealth burden (Kearney et al., 2005). As a primary contributor to heart disease and stroke, the first and third leading cause of death worldwide, respectively,hypertension was the top modifiable risk factor for disability adjusted life-years lost worldwide in 2013(Forouzanfar et al., 2015).According to the WHO, the prevalence of hypertension is highest in the African region while the lowest was found in the American region (WHO, 2018).

Nigeria, the most populous African country with a population of over 160 million on the other hand has a prevalence of hypertension at 42.8% in 2008 and this contributes hugely to the overall burden of Africa (WHO, 2008). This high-rise hypertension has been shown to be due to lifestyle changes, many related to changing environmental and social factors. Other factors included minimal physical activity and high consumption of processed foods (WHO, 2019)

Obesity and hypertension have become public health issues with rising prevalence globally, associated with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases as well as increased socio-economic costs (Narkiewicz, 2006). There is increased risk of co-morbidities for body mass index 25.0 to 29.9kg/m² (overweight), and moderate to severe risk of co-morbidities for body mass index greater than 30kg/m² (obesity) (WHO, 2019).

Developing countries are now witnessing an increase in overweight, obesity and obesity-related morbidity (Pasquet et al., 2003). These countries are currently undergoing an epidemiological transition that has been previously observed in developed countries (Abisola et al., 2014). As a result of this, African populations now suffer under the dual burden of infectious diseases and emerging chronic diseases (Njelekela et al., 2009).

According to WHO and World Economic Forum Report of a Joint Event (2005), Nigeria was estimated to have lost 400 million United States dollars in national income from premature deaths due to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and would have an estimated four-fold increase in income loss by 2015 (WHO, 2015). Nevertheless, it is difficult to determine the fraction of hypertension that can be attributed to overweight and obesity (Appel, 2018). In the present study, the relationship between obesity and hypertension would be examined among adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state.

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY                                                                                                   

1.2.1 General objective of the study

The general objective of this study is to assess the relationship between obesity and blood pressureamong adults in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state.

1.2.2 Specific objectives of the study:

The specific objectives are to:

i.          determine the socio-demographic characteristics of the adults.

ii.         assess the prevalence of obesity among the adult population in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

iii.        evaluate blood pressure of the adults.

iv.        establish the relationship between obesity and hypertension.

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Obesity can be considered a complex and chronic medical condition that requires deep understanding, particularly for the mechanisms leading to hypertension to plan successful preventive and treatment strategies as well as in nutrition and healthcare policy-making. Also, studies on prevalence of obesity and raised blood pressure (hypertension) among various groups in Nigeria are limited to few locations and categories of people, resulting to inadequate data on prevalence of these conditions in the country. The result of this study will provide information on the prevalence of obesity and hypertension thereby contributing to the wealth of knowledge on chronic diseases among Nigerians especially among adults and help to make informed choices on intervention strategies as well as evaluate any ongoing attempts to arrest these diseases.

Buyers has the right to create dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when you experience issue with the file received. 

Dispute can only be created when you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of contents and content of the file you received. 

ProjectShelve.com shall either provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and Conditions are applied.

Buyers are expected to confirm that the material you are paying for is available on our website ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

In case of payment for a material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that is available on our website within 48 hours.

You cannot change topic after receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.