[Arterial hypertension and obesity in Ilha do Governador-Rio de Janeiro].

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between hypertension and obesity and also their prevalence in the adult population from Ilha do Governador-Rio de Janeiro.

METHODS

It is a domiciliar inquiry, with a probalistic cluster sample in two stages. We interviewed 1272 adult residents in the selected households. Social-demographic information, anthropometric measures, habits related to smoking, physical activities and blood pressure were registered.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension-systolic pressure > or = 160mmHg or diastolic pressure > or = 95mmHg or anti-hypertensive treatment at the moment of the interview, was 24.9% whereas the prevalence of obesity-body mass index (BMI) > or = 27kg/m2 was 28.4%. The prevalence of hypertension increased 2.4 fold from the lowest (< 25kg/m2) to the highest (> or = 30kg/m2) band of BMI. It was observed an association between hypertension and obesity that persisted after adjusting for sex, age, skin color, smoking, physical activity and level of education. Interaction of obesity with sex, age and skin color was found. The association between hypertension and obesity was stronger for men, for the youngest and also for the white people.

CONCLUSION

The results point out the necessary of actions to prevent and control the occurrence of both hypertension and obesity, mainly at younger ages, to decrease the rates of cardiovascular diseases.