Heart Institute Study Finds Strong Link Between Obesity, High Blood Pressure & Diabetes

Results published in the American Journal of Hypertension show analysis from the Canadian Ontario Survey, on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension. The survey examined 2,552 people aged 20 to 79 years old. Results showed 52% of people aged 60 and over had high blood pressure, with the majority receiving treatment. High blood pressure was more common among people from ethnic groups such as South Asians and Blacks. The latest analysis shows that 48% of adults were overweight (with a BMI of 25 to 29.9) and 22% were obese (with a BMI of 30 and over). Normal BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. Obesity levels tended to increase with age from 10% in younger people to 33% in older subjects. High blood pressure was twice as common among obese people. Diabetes and high cholesterol was three fold higher.