No abstract

No abstract

INTRODUCTIONClose association between blood pressure and body mass index is established 70 years ago. 1 Relationship between hypertension and overweight is identified by number of studies conducted in western world. [2][3][4][5] Weight reduction is having positive effect in decreasing blood pressure by many studies. A number of clinical trials have also shown that weight reduction is having significant effect in lowering blood pressure. Body weight adjusted for height ABSTRACT Background: For diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases body mass index (BMI) is identified as a positive and independent risk factor associated with both morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study is to establish a relationship between blood pressure and BMI among government employees of Gujarat state. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among government employees of new Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar of Gujarat during April to July 2004. Total 775 employees were selected using stratified, systematic random and simple random sampling designs. Written consent of all the subjects was obtained. A structured pre-tested proforma was used for collecting information and the results of the measurements. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were taken and BMI was calculated. To test the significance of the difference among the statistical parameters in different subsets of population F-test was applied. Results: Out of 775 subjects participated in the study 676 (87.2 percent) were males and 99 (12.8 percent) were females. The highest proportion of the study subjects were in the 41-50 age groups. The mean age of the study population was 46.72 years. The mean Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of the total study population was 125.9 mm of Hg. The mean Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP) of the total study population was 81.5 mm of Hg. The mean SBP and DBP shows an increasing trend with increasing age & were found statistically significant. [For SBP, F = 15.36, p=0.00, For DBP, F=4.9; p=0.007]. The difference among mean SBP and DBP of the three categories of BMI were found statistically significant in male population, female population and total study population (For SBP, F =14.48, p =0.00001) (For DBP, F=20.14, p=0.00000). Conclusion: There is significant correlation between BMI and DBP or SBP among government employees of Gujarat state situated in western part of India, thus basic measurement of weight and height to determine the BMI as a routine assessment during clinic visitation with appropriate lifestyle modification would help in controlling hypertension as well as reduce its prevalence.

Background: The school is also potentially a location for contracting infections or diseases. Finally, childhood health behaviour habits such as diet and physical activity are influenced by the school setting and often track into adulthood. Aims & Objectives: (1) To study morbidity profile of children of residential schools; (2) To study the immunization status of children of residential schools; (3) To know the prevalence of anaemia among children of residential schools. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross sectional study. After taking the permission of principal of resident schools and consent of the parents of children, 867 children from 8 residential schools were interviewed and examined during February-March 2011. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Age of the study children (total 867) ranged from 5-19 years. (Mean age=13.80 ±1.96 years). Out of 867, 434 (49.9%) were boys and 433 (50.1%) were girls. 303 (34.9%) children were fully immunized and 193 (22.3%) were partially immunized. The number of unimmunized children was 371 (42.8%). 333 (38.4%) children [Females: 158 (36.4%); Males: 175 (40.3%)] had past history of illness like jaundice, measles or chickenpox and tuberculosis. Wax in ears was present in 816 (94.1%) children while 192 (22.14%) children had one or more morbid conditions. The prevalence of anaemia in children in present study was 42%. [Females= 202 (46.7%); Males=162 (37.3%); p<0.05]. Conclusion: Prevalence of high morbidity and anaemia among these children needs great attention and health education. Poor immunization status of these children needs great health education of their parents.

No abstract