Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among college students in West Bengal, India: a cross sectional study.

Background: Hypertension is the commonest non- communicable disease affecting both sexes in all races. Obesity increases risk for hypertension. Objectives: Prevalence of hypertension among college students in suburban area of West Bengal, Eastern India and also to estimate association of BMI and arterial hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from July 2013 to May 2014, setting participants comprised of 522 college students. After obtaining informed consent from the college principal, a pretested questionnaire regarding age, physical activity and family history of hypertension, myocardial infarction and/or stroke was administered. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Blood pressure was measured with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 61% (30% pre-hypertensive and 30 hypertensive) for boys and 33% (19% pre-hypertensive and 14% hypertensive) for girls. 76% overweight and obese males and 49% overweight and obese females were hypertensive where as it was 58% and 29% respectively for healthy males and females. Significant association was noted between hypertension and BMI as well as hypertension and male sex. Conclusion: A high burden of hypertension was observed among male and female college students in suburban area of West Bengal, India. Male sex and overweight were identified as independent risk factors of the disease. Preventive measures, such as increasing awareness and early screening for the disease in young adults warranted.