https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(12)60861-7.pdf

Hypertension in developing countries

Western diet consumption and cognitive impairment: Links to hippocampal dysfunction and obesity

INDEPTH Network, PO Box KD213, Kanda, Accra, Ghana, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden and MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

/pdf/the-indepth-network-filling-vital-gaps-in-global-4ktkwy6yn6.pdf

The INDEPTH Network: filling vital gaps in global epidemiology

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(08)61399-9.pdf

Implications of mortality transition for primary health care in rural South Africa: a population-based surveillance study

Hypertension in developing countries.

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. This study examines the association between BMI and BP in three populations across Africa and Asia. Data on BMI, BP and other background characteristics of study participants were generated using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS), at three demographic surveillance sites in Ethiopia, Vietnam and Indonesia. BMI and BP increased along the socioeconomic gradient across the three countries. Mean (s.d.) BMI in men varied between 19.41 (2.28) in Ethiopia to 21.17 (2.86) in Indonesia. A high prevalence of overweight/obesity was noted among Indonesian women (25%) and men (10%), whereas low BMI was widely prevalent in Ethiopia and Vietnam, ranging from 33 to 43%. Mean (s.d.) systolic BP (SBP) among men varied between 117.15 (15.35) in Ethiopia to 127.33 (17.80) in Indonesia. The prevalence of hypertension was highest among women (25%) and men (24%) in Indonesia. Mean BP levels increased with increasing BMI. The risk of hypertension was higher among population groups with overweight and obesity (BMI>/=25 kg/m(2)); odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 2.47 (1.42, 4.29) in Ethiopia, 2.67 (1.75, 4.08) in Vietnam and 7.64 (3.88, 15.0) in Indonesia. BMI was significantly and positively correlated with both SBP and DBP in all the three populations, correlation coefficient (r) ranging between 0.23 and 0.27, P<0.01. High BP exists in a background of undernutrition in populations at early stages of the epidemiologic transition.

Association between body mass index and blood pressure across three populations in Africa and Asia.

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. This study examines the association between BMI and BP in three populations across Africa and Asia. Data on BMI, BP and other background characteristics of study participants were generated using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS), at three demographic surveillance sites in Ethiopia, Vietnam and Indonesia. BMI and BP increased along the socioeconomic gradient across the three countries. Mean (s.d.) BMI in men varied between 19.41 (2.28) in Ethiopia to 21.17 (2.86) in Indonesia. A high prevalence of overweight/obesity was noted among Indonesian women (25%) and men (10%), whereas low BMI was widely prevalent in Ethiopia and Vietnam, ranging from 33 to 43%. Mean (s.d.) systolic BP (SBP) among men varied between 117.15 (15.35) in Ethiopia to 127.33 (17.80) in Indonesia. The prevalence of hypertension was highest among women (25%) and men (24%) in Indonesia. Mean BP levels increased with increasing BMI. The risk of hypertension was higher among population groups with overweight and obesity (BMI≥25kg/ m 2 ); odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 2.47 (1.42, 4.29) in Ethiopia, 2.67 (1.75, 4.08) in Vietnam and 7.64 (3.88, 15.0) in Indonesia. BMI was significantly and positively correlated with both SBP and DBP in all the three populations, correlation coefficient (r) ranging between 0.23 and 0.27, P<0.01. High BP exists in a background of undernutrition in populations at early stages of the epidemiologic transition.

H. Van Minh

Papers

Association between body mass index and blood pressure across three populations in Africa and Asia.

Association between body mass index and blood pressure across three populations in africa and asia. Commentary