In India Hypertension is currently becoming a major health concern in the coming years. According to the World Health Statistics 2012 report, India has low rates of hypertension compared to world figures. In India, 23.10 per cent men and 22.60 per cent women above 25 years suffer from hypertension. India also fares better than the global average of 29.20 in men and 24.80 in women respectively. Hypertension is defined as a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. India is exploring the possibility of having a national monitoring framework to help check hypertension cases, according to a WHO official. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of hypertension in rural areas of Kurnool and Kadapa district of Rayalaseema region, Andhra Pradesh. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in the villages of rural areas of district Kurnool and Cudappah were selected from Rural Health Centers (RHCs) of these villages. In our study of 1637 subjects, 229 were hypertensive giving the prevelance lthough prevalence of hypertension in general public is very high, major bulk is still undiagnosed. A screening and preventive program needs to be established on national and international level.

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACTBackground: Obesity has become a major problem in both developed and developing countries worldwide including India. Aim: To assess the prevalence of general and central obesity in a rural A.P population of South India based on newly proposed cut off level for Asian population. Methods: 1538 subjects aged ≥20 years from rural Andhra Pradesh were randomly recruited to participate in a population-based, cross sectional survey, conducted in 2016. Results:The age standardized prevalence of overweight (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were 15.4% and 38 % respectively. The result shows that prevalence of obesity was more in female (63.6%) than male (36.4%). Based on age distribution in Males, prevalence of obesity was maximum in 45-54 yr group (51.25%) and minimum in 26-34 yr group (8.21%). In Females, maximum45-54 (38%) and minimum in 15-25 (9.4%). Based on BMI out of 1538 subjects, 1037 were normal (67.4%) whereas 237 (15.4%) were overweight, 258 (18.9%) were preobese, 38 (2.8%) were obese and 6 (0.44%) were morbid obese. Conclusions: In rural population of Andhra pradesh, the prevalence of both general and central obesity was high among both sexes with the use of newly proposed cut off points for Asian population.