Relationship between cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index of young adults volunteers residing in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite a growing burden of obesity and hypertension in developing countries, there is limited information on the contribution of body mass index (BMI) to blood pressure (BP) in these populations. The anatomical distribution of blood cholesterol has also been shown to be a factor in determining which people are more susceptible to coronary heart disease and thus at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the relationship between cholesterol level and body mass index (BMI); and blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) of Nigerians aged 18-29 years. The study employed a cross-sectional survey of individuals living in Minna Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty two male and female individuals were sampled using a non-probability sampling technique. Measurements taken include subjects’ systolic and diastolic blood pressures, height and weight. Data on BMI, BP, blood cholesterol level and other background characteristics of study participants were generated using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach. The results revealed that BMI, systolic and diastolic pressures and cholesterol had a non-significant positive relationship. A non-linear relationship was also found for systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and cholesterol level with BMI in the study population.