Correlation between Body mass index, Waist Hip ratio, blood sugar levels and blood pressure in apparently healthy adult Nigerians

Background: Obesity is a global epidemic and is on the rise. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) which is equal to or more than 30kg/m 2 . It is one of the modifiable risk factors of type 2 diabetes. This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between BMI, WHR, RBS and BP. Method: This cross-sectional study included 776 apparently healthy adult individuals who met the inclusion criteria. Random blood samples were collected to measure RBS using glucometers. Data on BMI, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure were collected from apparently healthy individuals. Result: The mean BMI was in the overweight range, 25.49±5.15 kg/m and was higher in females. About two-thirds (62.8%) of the participants had abnormally elevated WHR. RBS, SBP and DBP increased significantly with increasing BMI status (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.007 respectively) and were significantly higher with abnormally elevated WHR than in participants with normal WHR (p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). However, overweight individuals tended to have a higher RBS than the obese. There was a significant correlation between BMI and RBS (0.083, p=0.020), SBP (0.206, p=0.000) and DBP (0.152, p=0.000). There was a slightly stronger correlation between WHR and RBS (0.093, p=0.009), SBP (0.273, p=0.000) and DBP (0.217, p=0.000). Conclusion: BMI and WHR are positively correlated with RBS and blood pressure in Nigeria. The Nigerian population is therefore at risk of Obesity and its related conditions (hyperglycemia and hypertension).