Blood pressure and body composition of rural Oraons of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Prevalence of hypertension is increasing among indigenous populations of India. However, the relationship of body composition traits and hypertension among them is not known. Therefore, the objective of the study is to know the incidence of hypertension and associated body composition traits of rural Oraons. Data have been collected on sociodemographic characteristics, few lifestyle variables, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure from 336 adult (126 males and 210 females) Oraons using standard techniques and instruments. BMI, Waist Hip Ratio, Fat Mass, Fat Free Mass were calculated using formulae. Descriptive statistics, stepwise linear and logistic regression were adopted. Higher percentages of males (46.03%) were hypertensive than females (25.71%). Age was one of the significant predictor of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in either sex with or without adjusting lifestyle variables. Fat free mass, waist circumference along with tobacco chewing for males and mid-upper arm circumference, weight for females were significant predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. The risk factors for hypertension were age and fat free mass, adjusting lifestyle variables for the group.