As per WHO report 69 million people worldwide have hypertension. Of these 31.6% are unaware of their high blood pressure. In industrialised nations the prevalence of high blood pressure ranged from 10-20%. India being a developing nation and there is rapid industrialisation has led to hypertension becoming a major public health problem. Industrialisation has led to change in the lifestyle and food habit of the population, coupled with physical inactivity has led to increased prevalence of obesity. The frequency of hypertension among overweight persons aged >40 years were 50% higher when compared with those in the normal-weight group and 100% higher among the underweight group. This was a cross sectional study on rural population above 40 years done for a period of 7 months, in Bhuvanagiri, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The study was carried out in a sub centre of Bhuvanagiri primary health centre. The total population of the sub centre was 5832 out of which 1127 were above 40 years of age. The correlation between hypertension and BMI was done and found to be statistically significant. Also, an association between obesity and hypertension was observed.

Keywords: Hypertension, obesity, BMI, height, weight.

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Dr A. John William Felix

Department of Community Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Annamalai University Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India

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