Body Mass Index and the Prevalence of Obesity andHypertension in a Population of College Freshman in Taiwan

Chang-Hung Hung ； Wen-Tzung Chen ； Jung-Chi Su

《休閒保健期刊》 2期 (2009/12) Pp. 281-290

https://doi.org/10.29686/LHW.200912.0026

並列摘要

This study aimed to evaluate the status of obesity and hypertension in a college freshman population in Taiwan and to describe the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure. The survey was conducted from 2004 to 2008 based on the health examination of college freshman. A crosssectional whole-population of 10,129 college freshmen, aged 17-19 years, were examined. Blood pressure, height and weight were measured by nurse using standard procedures and protocols. Association between BMI and hypertension was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of obesity was 5.47% using WHO's definition and 12.02% using Taiwan's definition. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were significantly higher in male students than in female students (P＜0.05). The prevalence rates of hypertension was 14.3% according to JNC-7 definition. The prevalence of hypertension increased progressively with increasing BMI, from 8.24% at BMI＜18.5% to 39.20% at BMI 27 in males and from 3.95% at BMI＜18.5 to 19.54% at BMI 27 in females. Each BMI unit was associated with 16.5% (95% CI: 14.9~18.2%) higher hypertension risk in males and with 17.2% (95% CI: 13.2~21.3%) in femals. Logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity was a risk factor for hypertension in college freshman population. Our study quantified the association of BMI and hypertension, which provide implication for hypertension prevention. We suggest that blood pressure screening is important for obese college students to prevent hypertension.

並列關鍵字

body mass index ； obesity ； hypertension ； college freshman