AbstractBackground: Hypertension as defined by Joint National Comittee¹ is an important public health problem worldwide and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There is however controversy regarding which anthropometric indicator best defines obesity and conveys the highest risk of hypertension. Material and Methods: The present case –control study was carried out in 60 males subjects, 30 hypertensive males and 30 normotensive males. In the study BP measurements were done by sphygmomanometer. All anthropometric measurements were taken. Body mass index was calculated by weight in kg’s divided by height in cms and waist hip ratio was calculated as waist circumference divided by hip circumference Results: Our study shows that blood pressure was significantly increased in hypertensive males compared to normotensive males. The result shows that BMI was significantly increased in hypertensives. It was observed that hypertensive overweight and obese subjects had significant lower HDL-C level and higher LDL-C, TG to associate with SBP in males. Conclusion: Increase in body weight and waist circumference are most important factors affecting blood pressure. This study suggest that earlier prevention of excessive weight gain, lifestyle modification is needed to reduce hypertension.

Keywords: BMI, BP, waist hip ratio, lipid profile.