An Blood Pressure and Waist Circumference : Empirica ( Study of the Effects of Waist Circumference on Blood

An investigation of 150 adult Bengalee Hindu male jute mill workcrs in Belur, a suburb of Kolkata, West Bengat, Jndia, was conducted to study the relationship between ccntral obesity and blood pressure. In accordance with their waist circumference rneasurcment, the subjeets were dividcd into two categories: centrally non-obcse (CNO) and centrally obcse (CO). The participants were classified as the CO group if they had a WC of 8eem or more. Results showed that none of the CNO subjects was rnild hypertensive (SBPI]40 mmHg and/or DBPI90mmHg) while 85 of the CO sub.'-ccts (82.5%) were mild hypcrtensives, the ditference being statistically significant (chi-square=9,33; p<O.O025), Moreovcr. the data atso revea]ed that the CO subjects had much (p<O.OOI) greatcr mean weight, body mass index (BMI), systoiic (SBP), djastolic (DBP) and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure than the CNO group members. Thc significant diflercnce in blood pressure was found evcn after correcting the confounding effects of age and BM} varjables. The results of this study showed that, the Bengalee male jute mill workcrs in the CO group had significantly higher blood pressure irrcspectjve of age and overall adiposity (BMI). Thcrefore, the presenec of centra] obesity is deemed a risk factor, for hypertension regardless of age and BMI, Thus, a WC cut-off point of 80 cm could be employed for health promotion arnong Bengaicc men so as to prevent and manage hypertension effk)ctively. J Ph.i,siot Anthropot Ampl IJuman Sci .?.2 (11J .' 169-173, 2003 http:/fwww. jstage.jst.ge.jpleni'