By: THOUNAOJAM SARJU CHANU, HUIDROM SURAJ SINGH
Hypertension is one of the fastest-growing public health concerns and leads to complications in adults that can cause chronic diseases and premature death. It is a major concern not only because of its rising prevalence but also because evidence suggests a correlation between childhood hypertension and adult hypertension. The present study was conducted among the Liangmai of Khunkhu Naga Village, Manipur. A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 52 males aged 12 to 25 years. The findings highlight that pre-hypertension is more common among the studied population, affecting 50% of the total. The probable reason may be a significant variation in BMI. Recent studies suggest that hypertension is more prevalent among obese individuals. Although no obese individuals were found, 22.22% of overweight individuals were found to have pre-hypertension. Additionally, the prevalence of hypertension is higher among individuals who consumed fast food (88.88%) than among their counterparts (11.11%). Regarding BMI, the prevalence of hypertension was 11.11% in the underweight category, 66.67% in the normal category, and 22.22% in the overweight category. Overall, the prevalence of pre-hypertension among the studied population is high. This may be due to various factors, among which an increase in BMI is one of the most significant risk factors for the high prevalence of abnormal blood pressure.
