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Obesity and Physical Inactivity: Contributing Factors to Hypertension in Early Adults

. Sadaf Ambreen, Jannat ul Mawa, Murad Ali, Farrah Shams, Khan Niaz Khan & Sumaiya Iqbal


Abstract

Hypertension is a medical condition, in which blood pressure in the arteries is elevated than the normal, having systolic blood pressure more than 120mmHg and diastolic blood pressure more than 80 mmHg. It leads to health complications and increase risk of diseases such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and even death. The aim of current study was to evaluate nutritional status and activity level among hypertensive early adults in District Mardan Data was collected from the subjects of Public Hospital, Mardan Medical Complex through questionnaire. A complete information about individual sociodemographic, anthropometry and health status were collected, and physical activity was assessed by using GPAQ questionnaire. A total of 150 individuals were included in the study in which 90% were females and 10% were males. Data was analyzed through SPSS Version 22. Majority of the study subjects 88% were married, 70% having nuclear family system, 43% were having elementary education and 43% were working as laborer. Body mass index and waist circumference in female counterpart were found to be positively associated with hypertension and was found statistically significant P=<0.01. Results showed that majority of females were fall in hypertension crisis category with mild activity and males were having hypertension stage 1 with moderate activity. Our study concluded that non-optimal nutritional status and sedentary lifestyle resulted in elevated blood pressure in females therefore lifestyle change such as optimal weight management and physical activity may play key role in reducing risk of hypertension.

Key words: Hypertension, Early Adulthood, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, Physical activity.

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