Neck circumference and waist circumference may be used in clinical practice and epidemiological studies as an index of overweight/ obesity among school-going adolescents.

Context: Hypertension can be controlled by modifying lifestyle related risk factors and generating awareness about these risk factors among hypertensive patients. Aim: To assess the life style pattern, knowledge, attitude and practices related to hypertension among diagnosed patients of hypertension attending a tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: Across sectional hospital based study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital during May and June 2014.102 diagnosed patients of hypertension attending the Medicine out-patient department were included in the study by convenience sampling. Apre-structured questionnaire was used and data related to demographic profile, history of hypertension, knowledge, attitude and practices regarding hypertension etc. were collected. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: Out of 102 participants, 55.9% were males and the mean age was 42.98 + 11.85. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure was 146.01 + 10.59 and 103.7 + 10.76 respectively. 50% of the patients led a sedentary life & only 13.7% were practicing fitness activities daily. 22.5% were current smokers, 12.7% were passive smokers and 8.8% were currently taking alcohol. About 26.5% patients were not concerned about their increased BP, 5.9% didn't know any of the risk factors of hypertension &7.8% were unaware of the symptoms of hypertension. Logistic regression showed that occurrence of uncontrolled hypertension is reduced by 0.06 times in patients having satisfactory knowledge. Conclusion: Intervention in the form of lifestyle education during hospital visits will be helpful to increase the awareness about modifiable risk factors, controlling blood pressure and preventing complications among these patients.

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