The Risk of Hypertension Amongst Civil Servants in Portharcout using Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) and Body Mass Index (BMI) as Markers

Anthropometric indices of central obesity such as waist circumference, waist hip ratio and body mass index is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including hypertension (HT) which is itself a risk factor for CVDs. Recent studies suggest that waist circumference (WC) may be more sensitive than Body Mass Index (BMI) in determining individual risk scores for CVDs. The current study aimed at investigating the risk of hypertension among civil servants using waist to hip ratio and body mass index. A cross sectional design was employed for the study,and participants selected by convenience sampling. Informed consent was obtained from 200 male and female civil servants working in the University of Port Harcourt and measurements were performed for each participant. Blood pressure was measured and a descriptive statistical analysis done. The main mean values obtained for systolic blood pressure of male was 131.59 and the standard deviation was 16.26, while the female was 128.77 and the standard deviation was 16.76. The main mean values for diastolic blood pressure of male was 78.43 and standard deviation was 11.83, while the female was 79.95 and standard deviation was 10.93. There was no statistical significant difference when the test of significant (t-test) was conducted. The main mean values for the weight of male was 65.92 and the standard deviation was 11.74, while the female was 56.06 and the standard deviation was 12.1, indicating no statistical significant difference. The main mean values for the height of male was 165.22 and the standard deviation was 7.05 while for female was 161.77 and the standard deviation was 9.50, indicating no sexual dimorphism when the test of significance was conducted. The main mean values for body mass index for male and female were 24.95±4.26 and 22.19 ±4.34 respectively. There was statistical significant difference (sexual dimorphism) when the test of significant (t-test) was conducted. Moreso, there was no statistical significant difference when the test of significance (t-test) was conducted for waist circumference (WC), where the male and female mean values were 37.05±4.03 and 38.00±4.86 respectively. The mean values for hip circumference of male and female were repectively 41.72±5.07 and 42.26± 5.13 with no statistical significant difference following the test of significance (t-test). There was significant correlation between anthropometric indices of central obesity such as WC, WHR and BMI with hypertension. The study indicated that there is an increased risk in hypertension when; waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and BMI are high.

Key Words: Hypertension, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Body Mass Index, University of Port Harcourt, Civil Servants.