European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPARISON OF BODY MASS INDEX AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN COMMERCIAL MOTOR DRIVERS IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA.

*Victor Opuada Hart and Eruotor Ochuko Harrison

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at investigating the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) of commercial motor drivers (CMDs) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Five hundred and seventeen (517) consenting male CMDs were randomly selected for the study. The study involved the measurement of the BP, weight and height of the CMDs; and the completion of a questionnaire relevant to the topic. From the results, 39.46% of the CMDs had a normal BMI status, 42.55% were overweight, while 17.99% were obese. A positive correlation was observed between the BMI and the Systolic BP (r = 0.254), the Diastolic BP (r = 0.323), and the age (r = 0.896) of the CMDs. There was also a positive correlation between the age and the Systolic BP (r = 0.207) and Diastolic BP (r = 0.270) of the CMDs. Also, a higher percentage of the CMDs consumed alcoholic drinks, a lesser percentage exercised regularly, while a higher percentage had longer durations of daily working hours resulting in shorter hours of rest and sleep. It can be concluded that the positive correlation between the BMI and BP may not be unrelated with the high rate of alcohol consumption and the sedentary lifestyle of the CMDs. It is our recommendation that basic measurements of BP in comparison to an individual’s BMI status should be a routine assessment and requirement for the issuing and renewing of drivers licenses.

Keywords: Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Drivers, Alcohol Consumption, Exercise.