ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases has become a global epidemic even in the developing nations of the world. Epidemiologic transition with rapid urbanisation is important variable implicated in the rising prevalence of obesity. The prevalence of this major risk factor for cardiovascular disorders like hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease etc has not been richly studied in the rural setting of the Nigerian Niger Delta region despite the increasing urbanisation taking place in same region. The aim of this research therefore is to determine the prevalence and predictors of obesity in a rural farming community of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria Methods: A cross sectional study involving 388 subjects aged 15 years and above. Demographic social and relevant medical information and social information were obtained using a questionnaire administered by face-to-face interview. Anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference, Waist-Hip-Ratio) and blood pressure measurements were done. Blood samples were taken for fasting blood sugar.Results: The overall mean age of the study subjects was 40.88±16.52. The mean age for males was 40.66±17.23 and that for females was 40.98±16.17. The male to female ratio was 1:2.1. The prevalence of generalised obesity in this study was 3.4% .The females had a higher prevalence than the males (p= 0.02). The prevalence of obesity found to be highest in the 50 to 59 years age group. Pearson and Spearman' rho correlation analysis of BMI with other parameters revealed that educational status, waist circumference, and hypertension had significant association while logistic regression confirmed these variables as well as physical inactivity as predictors of obesity. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in this rural community is 3.4% and educational status, waist circumference and hypertension are important predictors
Subject(s)
Agriculture , Disease , Niger , Obesity , PrevalenceABSTRACT
Background : Hypertension is a disease characterized by end-organ complications; leading to high morbidity and mortality in many cases. People with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension often run the risk of developing complications directly associated with the disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been shown to be a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes both in patients with hypertension and in the general population. We investigated the prevalence and pattern of LVH in a treated hypertensive population at the University College Hospital; Ibadan; Nigeria; using non-hypertensive subjects as control. Design and Setting : A prospective observational study performed at the University College Hospital; Ibadan; Nigeria. Methods : Patients had 6 visits; when at least one blood pressure measurement was recorded for each hypertensive subject and average calculated for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) separately. The values obtained were used for stratification of the subjects into controlled and uncontrolled hypertension. Subjects also had echocardiograms to determine their left ventricular mass. Results : LVH was found in 14 (18.2) of the normotensive group; 40 (20.8) of the uncontrolled hypertensive group and 14 (24.1) of the controlled hypertensive group when left ventricular mass (LVM) was indexed to body surface area (BSA). When LVM was indexed to height; left ventricular hypertrophy was found in none of the subjects of the normotensive group; while it was found present in 43 (22.4) and 14 (24.1) subjects of the uncontrolled and controlled hypertensive groups; respectively. Significant difference in the prevalence of LVH was detected only when LVM was indexed to height alone. Conclusion : Clinic blood pressure is an ineffective way of assessing BP control. Thus in apparently controlled hypertensive subjects; based on office blood pressure; cardiac structural changes do remain despite antihypertensive therapy. This population is still at risk of cardiovascular events