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Body mass index and blood pressure: where are we now?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 21, pages 5–7 (2007)Cite this article

The high prevalence rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – particularly hypertension – in developing countries is gaining much attention. High disease burden in those environs has been consistent with the global projections of burden of disease from 1990 to 2020.1 However, there is limited published information on NCD prevalence rates and related risk factors using the WHO STEPwise approach in developing countries.

In the current issue of the Journal of Human Hypertension, Tesfaye et al.2 report findings from surveys conducted in three countries in geoecologically diverse socio-demographic settings. Blood pressures and hypertension prevalence rates were much higher in men than in women, consistent with previous results demonstrating gender dichotomy in blood pressure, with higher pressures seen in men. The prevalence rates of the other NCD risk factors, such as tobacco use and alcohol consumption, were also much higher in men than in women.

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  1. WHO Eritrea Country Office, Asmara, Eritrea

    J Mufunda

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Mufunda, J. Body mass index and blood pressure: where are we now?. J Hum Hypertens 21, 5–7 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002106

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