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Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in Barbados: findings from a recent population-based survey
1Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Insights
Obesity significantly increases hypertension and diabetes risk in Barbados. Preventing obesity could drastically cut these chronic disease rates, especially in women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- High prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Barbados.
- Understanding risk factors for these chronic conditions is crucial for public health interventions.
- Obesity is a recognized global health issue with potential links to hypertension and diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Bridgetown, Barbados.
- To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and these chronic conditions.
- To explore gender disparities in obesity and their impact on hypertension and diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Stratified random sample of 464 adults aged 40-79 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
- Data collection included blood pressure measurements, diabetes assessment, and body mass index (BMI) calculations.
- Statistical analysis used logistic regression to assess associations between BMI, hypertension, and diabetes.
Main Results:
- Hypertension prevalence was 47% in women and 43% in men.
- Diabetes prevalence was 17% overall (18% women, 15% men).
- Obesity (BMI > 30) was higher in women (30%) than men (10%) and strongly associated with hypertension (OR=2.6) and diabetes (OR=5.2 for women).
Conclusions:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension and diabetes in this Barbadian population.
- Targeting obesity prevention could substantially reduce the incidence of hypertension and diabetes.
- Addressing gender disparities in obesity is key to mitigating chronic disease burden.
Abstract:
A stratified random sample of 464 persons aged 40 to 79 years, drawn from enumeration registers in the Bridgetown area of Barbados, participated in this survey. The prevalence of hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 160 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of at least 95 mm Hg, or use of antihypertensive medication) was 47% and 43% for women and men, respectively. Diabetes was present in 17% of all subjects (18% of women and 15% of men). Of the 209 hypertensive subjects, 82% were aware of their blood pressure status. The proportion of previously diagnosed hypertensive subjects on medication was 72% for men and 68% for women. Fifty-three percent of men and 42% of women were overweight (body mass indices [weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared] between 25 and 30). However, 30% of women and 10% of men were obese (body mass indices over 30), supporting the growing recognition of the marked gender disparity in obesity among persons of African origin in the Caribbean. Body mass index was positively associated with hypertension (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6). Obese persons experienced a 2.6 times greater risk of hypertension compared to those with body mass indices below 25. Similar statistically significant associations were observed between diabetes and body mass index: OR comparing body mass index over 30 with body mass index under 25 was 2.5 (95% CI: 1.3-5.1) for all subjects, 1.0 (0.3-4.1) for men only, and 5.2 (1.9-14) for women only. Preventing obesity in this population could reduce the incidence of hypertension and diabetes by approximately 30% and 33% among men and women, respectively.