Effect of age and body mass index on the status of prehypertension and hypertension among mine employees

Umesh Laxman Dhumne; Sarang Vilas Dhatrak; Subroto Shambhu Nandi

Umesh Laxman Dhumne Department of Occupational Health, National Institute of Miners’ Health, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Sarang Vilas Dhatrak National Institute of Miners’ Health, JNARDDC Campus, Wadi, Nagpur ‑ 440 023, Maharashtra, India.
Subroto Shambhu Nandi Department of Occupational Health, National Institute of Miners’ Health, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Keywords: Age, body mass index, hypertension, mine employees, prehypertensive

Abstract

Background and Aim: The burden of cardiovascular disease is on the rise and this rise in cases may be attributed to industrialization and adoption in modern lifestyle in India. In this rapid industrialization and economic growth, mining plays an important part in a gross domestic product. The mine workers cannot remain unaffected, with the overall scenario. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among mine employees and to study its association with body mass index (BMI) and age. Methods: The health surveillance data of 1690 mine employees in the age group of 18–60 years was analyzed. Based on the World Health Organization criteria for BMI, mine employees were categorized as normal, overweight, and obese. Furthermore, as per the US Seventh Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertension criteria, the study population was categorized as normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive. Statistical analysis was performed using Graph‑pad software. One-way ANOVA and Chi‑square test was used to analyze the data. Results: The overall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was found to be 45.7% and 15.6%, respectively, and was higher among overweight and obese as compared to normal BMI (P < 0.001). It was also observed that the occurrence of hypertension is directly proportional to the age. The rising trend with increasing age was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of about 47% prehypertensive among mine employees call for the need of awareness programs and lifestyle interventions for the prevention of both prehypertension and hypertension and its associated future cardiovascular‑related complications.