Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Blood Pressure Status and its Association with Obesity and Abdominal Obesity in Students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2007

  Z. Salem [1] , M. Rezaeian [2]

  Received: 28/08/07 Sent for Revision: 11/06/08 Received Revised Manuscript: 25/06/08 Accepted: 16/09/08

  Background and Objective : Obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension , type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. The present study aimed to the evaluate status of blood pressure and its association with obesity and abdominal obesity in students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences (RUMS).

  Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 694 respondents were recuited using census method. Hypertension and obesity were detected using JNC7 and WHO classification, respectively. X² test and Pearson coefficient were applied where appropriate.

  Results: Results of this study demonstrated that 27.4% and 28% respondents had systolic (>120 mmHg) and diastolic (>80mmHg) high blood pressure, respectively. Forty point five of overweight students and 60% of obese students had high blood pressure. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Additional high diastolic blood pressure was found in 36.5% and 60% of overweight and obese students, respectively (p<0.05). According to BMI scores, 10.7% and 1.4% of students were overweight and obese. 30.7% of girls and 8.8% of boys had abdominal obesity. There was a significant correlation between abdominal obesity and systolic (r=0.28, p=0.01) and diastolic (r=0.18, p=0.01) blood pressure.

  Conclusion: This study showed that hypertension, obesity and abdominal obesity are health problems in students. Interventional approaches for changing in life style and university nutritional programs are needed.

  Key words : Hypertension, Obesity, Abdominal Obesity, Students

  Funding: This research was funded by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences.

  Conflict of interest: None declared.

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

  [1] - Academic Member, Dept. of Social Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

  (Corresponding Author) Tel: (0391)5234003, Fax: (0391)5225209, E-mail: z_salem@rums.ac.ir

  [2] - Asociated Prof., Dept. of Social Medicine, University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran