ROLE OF BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ADULT POPULATION OF DISTRICT SWAT

Obesity (body mass index, height and weight) can contribute to the development of hypertension in the adult population. This study compares the body mass index, weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive persons with obese normotensive and obese hypertensive indivisuals. The hypertensive and obese normotensive subjects were taken from medical Out Patient Department (OPD) of Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, whereas the normotensive subjects were selected from the friends and staff members of Saidu Medical College (SMC), Swat. The study comprised of 100 subjects, 34 normotensive (controls), 33 obese normotensive and 33 obese hypertensive between 40-70 years of age. Body mass index, weight, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were compared amongst the three groups. Body mass index, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly elevated in hypertensive than normotensive subjects whereas the body mass index and weight were significantly elevated in obese normotensives than normotensive subjects (control). The onset of cardiovascular complication like hypertension was seen earlier in obese subjects