Journal of Ecophysiology & Occupational Health
  • Year: 2010
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 3–4

Relationship between body mass index, mid-arm circumference and incidence of high blood pressure among adolescents in Edo state, Nigeria

  • Author:
  • B. O. Ahiante, J. N. Afiukwa1, L.F.O. Obika, M. Ayala, M.O. Daodu.
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 165 to 172

1Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Private Mail Bag 053, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The relationship between body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC) and blood pressure (BP) among adolescents in urban and rural dwellers in Edo State of Nigeria were assessed. A total of 574 subjects comprising 185 males and 168 females from urban areas; and 113 males and 108 females from the rural areas within the age of 12 and 20 years were used for the study. Parameters, such as weight (kg), height (m), BMI (kg/m2), MAC (cm) and blood pressure (mmHg) were determined using standard procedures. The results showed a perfect correlation between MAC and Systolic Blood Pressure, SBP, BMI and SBP, BMI and diastolic blood pressure, DBP, BMI and MAC, as well as between MAC and DBP. The MAC showed positive correlation with the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) only among the rural males and females in the study area. Variations in the BMI between gender and the Urban/Rural communities were significant in favour of the females.

Keywords

Body-mass index, Mid-arm circumference, Blood pressure, Adolescents, Edo State