Published Paper Details:

Introduction: Hypertension has become a systemic disease with more incidence and prevalence rate among the modern generation. Dietary and lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of health complications, although treatment with medication is still often necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes are not enough or not effective. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of health complications, although drug treatment is still often necessary in people for whom lifestyle changes are not enough or not effective. A number of important contributory factors for hypertension have been identified, including overweight/obesity, excessive dietary sodium intake, low physical activity, smoking, and high alcohol intake. Previous studies have shown that being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk for hypertension. Hypertension, a condition developed as a result of high blood pressure and is strongly correlated with Body Mass Index. Obesity was noted to be a single best predictor of hypertension incidence, and was regarded as a major controllable contributor to hypertension. Overweight and obesity is conveniently determined from Body Mass Index. Research Methodology: The study was conducted among hypertensive patients, for assessing the association between Body Mass Index and Hypertension. At first a rapport was established with the patients and the purpose of the study was explained to them. The sample of 100 was selected by using non- probability convenient sampling technique. On the first day of data collection, the investigator introduced him and explained the nature, purpose of the study to the clients. Verbal and written Consent was obtained to participate in the study and confidentiality of their responses was assured. Hypertensive patients were identified and their blood pressure, height, weight and abdominal girth were collected. Demographic variables and clinical variables were collected using demographic variable proforma and clinical variable proforma. Body Mass Index was calculated according to the universally accepted formula. Result : On analysng data, a strong association between Body Mass Index and Hypertension was found. Regarding socio demographic variables there was association between Age, sex, occupational status and marital status with hypertension. Whereas, no association was there for educational level, residing place, family income and type of family with Hypertension. Regarding Clinical variables, there was association between Type of food and Frequency of meal with hypertension. Whereas no association was found for Co morbid illness and Common cooking methods with Hypertension. Conclusion: The study revealed that there is association between age, sex, occupational status and marital status with hypertension whereas, no association was found for educational level,residing place, family income and type of family with Hypertension. On analyzing data, we can deduce that 42% of the sample were overweight 52% were of normal weight and 6 % were underweight .There is significant association between Systolic blood pressure and Body Mass Index. There is significant association between Diastolic blood pressure and Body Mass Index. Hence the researcher concluded that the is an association between Body Mass Index and Hypertension.