STUDY OF HYPERTENSION AND OBESITY IN ELDERLY IN A RURAL POPULATION: CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Title: Study of hypertension and obesity in elderly in a rural population: cross sectional study Background: Hypertension is a major health concern among the elderly population, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and examine associated risk factors, specically obesity and waist-to-hip ratio, among elderly individuals in a rural area of Maharashtra, India. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 to December 2017 in the rural eld practice area of a medical college in Maharashtra. The study included 394 individuals aged 60 years and above. Blood pressure measurements, anthropometric data, and demographic information were collected using standardized methods and a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hypertension among the elderly was found to be 32.23%. The mean age of participants was 67.99 ± 6.46 years. A signicant association was observed between body mass index (BMI) and hypertension (p = 0.03), with prevalence rates of 20.34%, 31.56%, and 40% in underweight, normal weight, and overweight/obese categories, respectively. However, no signicant association was found between waist-to-hip ratio and hypertension (p = 0.9761). Conclusion: This study reveals a high prevalence of hypertension among the rural elderly population. The signicant association between BMI and hypertension underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in this age group. Further research and targeted interventions are needed to address the burden of hypertension in rural elderly populations.