Prevalence of Hypertension and Its Association with Obesity in Urban Adults of Peshawar: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most significant global health concerns, accounting for considerable morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. Obesity, a rapidly increasing problem in South Asia, has been strongly linked with the development of hypertension. In Pakistan, especially in urban centers such as Peshawar, rapid lifestyle transitions have contributed to increased risks of both hypertension and obesity. However, there is limited hospital-based empirical evidence on their prevalence and interrelation.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among adults visiting tertiary hospitals in Peshawar and to examine its association with obesity, measured through body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 adults (aged 20–65 years) attending outpatient departments of three tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar. Systematic random sampling was applied. Blood pressure was measured according to WHO guidelines, while obesity was assessed using BMI and central adiposity measures. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between obesity and hypertension, adjusting for age, gender, smoking, and physical inactivity.

Results: Preliminary findings indicate that the prevalence of hypertension among participants was 34.8%, while overweight and obesity were present in 42.6% and 27.3% of subjects, respectively. Central obesity, measured by waist circumference, was present in 55.1% of participants. Logistic regression demonstrated a strong positive association between obesity and hypertension (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.92–4.29, p < 0.001), independent of other risk factors.

Conclusion: Hypertension is highly prevalent among urban adults in Peshawar and strongly associated with both general and central obesity. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions focusing on weight reduction, lifestyle modification, and early screening programs in urban health settings.