Prevalence of Hypertension Risk Factors Among Young Female Students of Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Conditions concerning high blood pressure create substantial health risks both worldwide and within the Gulf nations because of accelerated changes in lifestyles and expanding young demographic statistics. Objective: The current cross-sectional research evaluated hypertension frequency in Saudi Arabian girls along with its relationship between obesity factors and cholesterol levels. Methods: Researchers obtained data from 120 young Saudi females between the ages of 18-25 years who were students at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah. The study evaluated blood pressure levels and body mass index alongside waist circumference and waist-hip ratio and fasting blood glucose and lipid profile including HDL, LDL and TC among young Saudi female subjects. Results: The data showed that 41.7% of participants maintained normal blood pressure levels yet stage 2 hypertension affected 18.3% of the sample size. Additionally 30.8% experienced stage 1 hypertension and 9.2% had elevated BP. Statistical research showed hypertension related significantly to WC (p = 0.007) and WHR (p = 0.020) measurements though BMI, FBG, HDL, LDL and TC did not demonstrate statistical significance. Conclusion: Young Saudi female subjects showed waist-hip ratio (WHR) and WC as important indicators for hypertension development. The research shows that preventive approaches along with lifestyle changes need to be directed specifically toward developing populations. Further multi-centered studies are warranted.