Prevalence of Prehypertension and Hypertension and Its Correlation With Anthropometric Measurements in Medical Students of Central India

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a growing health problem in Asia, while most studies describe hypertension in older adults and elderly there is paucity of data on hypertension in teenagers and young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted from Dec 2013 to Jan 2014 in Chirayu medical College and Hospital. A total of 300 students were included in the study those who volunteered for participation. Hypertension was diagnosed based on drug treatment for hypertension or if the blood pressure was greater than 140/90 mmHg -Joint National Committee 7 (JNC VII) Criteria. 8 Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, waist and hip measurements were obtained using standardized techniques. RESULTS: Out of total 300 subjects 128(42.6%) were prehypertensives, 20 (6.66%) had stage I hypertension and 04 (1.3%) had stage II hypertension. Out of total 300 subjects 40 (13.3%) subjects had BMI < 18.5, 168 (56%) had BMI between 18.5 and 23.9, 38 (12.6%) had BMI between 24-26.9 and 54 (18%) had BMI 27. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity are a major health hazard all over the world and are becoming a major health threat among both the sexes and all age groups. Substantial proportions of young adult medical students are prehypertensives, overweight and obese. Our results highlight the necessity to institute effective prevention and health promotion programs targeting younger age groups.