Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: Fishermen are more likely than the general population to develop hypertension due to their altered sleeping patterns as well as their high salt intake. There is a substantial correlation between obesity and the development of hypertension, in conjunction with other disorders. The prima...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: L Nancy, R Suba Shree, R Kalaivanan, M Logaraj, K Narmatha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&month=August&volume=19&issue=8&page=LC29-LC33&id=21371
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849240637644210176
author L Nancy
R Suba Shree
R Kalaivanan
M Logaraj
K Narmatha
author_facet L Nancy
R Suba Shree
R Kalaivanan
M Logaraj
K Narmatha
author_sort L Nancy
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Fishermen are more likely than the general population to develop hypertension due to their altered sleeping patterns as well as their high salt intake. There is a substantial correlation between obesity and the development of hypertension, in conjunction with other disorders. The primary risk factor for hypertension is Body Mass Index (BMI), which increases with BMI. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity among the fishermen population, to determine the association between hypertension and abdominal obesity and to identify the factors associated with hypertension. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among fishermen in the Chennai district with a sample size of 310. They were selected using a multistage random sampling technique and a detailed interview was conducted with the participants using a pretested, validated, modified STEPwise questionnaire. Statistical analysis included frequency, percentages, Chi-square tests, univariate regression done for categorical variables and multivariate logistic regression for significant variables (p-value <0.05) to control for confounders. Results: Out of the 310 respondents, the majority, 188 (60.6%) were aged 45 years or older, with 167 (53.9%) living in nuclear families. Additionally, 223 (71.9%) reported having an unhealthy diet. The prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity was 48.7% (151) and 64.5% (200), respectively. The majority felt that lowering salt intake was not important at all, accounting for 41.3%. Age and education level were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of abdominal obesity and hypertension was 64.5% and 48.7%, respectively, which was higher among fishermen. As this burden among fishermen is on an increasing trend compared to the general population, they require a multifaceted approach that addresses the unique lifestyle, environmental and occupational challenges they face.
format Article
id doaj-art-1fb79b15c53547ddb0bd94875dfc0f2f
institution Kabale University
issn 2249-782X
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
record_format Article
series Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
spelling doaj-art-1fb79b15c53547ddb0bd94875dfc0f2f2025-08-20T04:00:32ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X2025-08-01198LC29LC3310.7860/JCDR/2025/80120.21371Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaL Nancy0R Suba Shree1R Kalaivanan2M Logaraj3K Narmatha4Postgraduate, Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRMIST, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.Postgraduate, Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRMIST, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Arunai Medical College and Hospital, Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India.Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRMIST, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.Postgraduate, Department of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRMIST, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.Introduction: Fishermen are more likely than the general population to develop hypertension due to their altered sleeping patterns as well as their high salt intake. There is a substantial correlation between obesity and the development of hypertension, in conjunction with other disorders. The primary risk factor for hypertension is Body Mass Index (BMI), which increases with BMI. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity among the fishermen population, to determine the association between hypertension and abdominal obesity and to identify the factors associated with hypertension. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among fishermen in the Chennai district with a sample size of 310. They were selected using a multistage random sampling technique and a detailed interview was conducted with the participants using a pretested, validated, modified STEPwise questionnaire. Statistical analysis included frequency, percentages, Chi-square tests, univariate regression done for categorical variables and multivariate logistic regression for significant variables (p-value <0.05) to control for confounders. Results: Out of the 310 respondents, the majority, 188 (60.6%) were aged 45 years or older, with 167 (53.9%) living in nuclear families. Additionally, 223 (71.9%) reported having an unhealthy diet. The prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity was 48.7% (151) and 64.5% (200), respectively. The majority felt that lowering salt intake was not important at all, accounting for 41.3%. Age and education level were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of abdominal obesity and hypertension was 64.5% and 48.7%, respectively, which was higher among fishermen. As this burden among fishermen is on an increasing trend compared to the general population, they require a multifaceted approach that addresses the unique lifestyle, environmental and occupational challenges they face.https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&month=August&volume=19&issue=8&page=LC29-LC33&id=21371epidemiologynon communicable diseaseoccupational healthwaist: hip circumference
spellingShingle L Nancy
R Suba Shree
R Kalaivanan
M Logaraj
K Narmatha
Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
epidemiology
non communicable disease
occupational health
waist: hip circumference
title Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
title_full Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
title_fullStr Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
title_full_unstemmed Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
title_short Burden of Abdominal Obesity and Hypertension among Fishermen: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
title_sort burden of abdominal obesity and hypertension among fishermen a cross sectional study from chennai tamil nadu india
topic epidemiology
non communicable disease
occupational health
waist: hip circumference
url https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2025&month=August&volume=19&issue=8&page=LC29-LC33&id=21371
work_keys_str_mv AT lnancy burdenofabdominalobesityandhypertensionamongfishermenacrosssectionalstudyfromchennaitamilnaduindia
AT rsubashree burdenofabdominalobesityandhypertensionamongfishermenacrosssectionalstudyfromchennaitamilnaduindia
AT rkalaivanan burdenofabdominalobesityandhypertensionamongfishermenacrosssectionalstudyfromchennaitamilnaduindia
AT mlogaraj burdenofabdominalobesityandhypertensionamongfishermenacrosssectionalstudyfromchennaitamilnaduindia
AT knarmatha burdenofabdominalobesityandhypertensionamongfishermenacrosssectionalstudyfromchennaitamilnaduindia