Department of Anthropology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Department of Anthropology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Department of Anthropology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Department of Anthropology, Sri Venkateswara University Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Body mass index ,Waist hip ratio ,Hypertension ,Alcoholics ,Adults ,

To assess the effect of alcohol consumption on body composition and blood pressure levels, a cross sectional study was designed among adults of Tirupati and surrounding areas of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. 837 adults (236 alcoholics and 601non alcoholics) were randomly selected and screened. Structured interview schedule was administered in data collection. Subject’s demographics, socioeconomic status, occupational activities, alcohol consumption, and physical assessment (height, weight, waist and hip circumference) were recorded. In the present study alcoholics possess higher percentage of obesity (6%) than non-alcoholics (5%). Hypertension was recorded to an extent of 15.25% among the alcoholics and 9.32% in non-alcoholics. Similarly mean levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were elevated in alcoholics than non-alcoholics (p<0.05). Further BMI and WHR showed positive relation with hypertension in alcoholics. In conclusion, it is inferred that obesity is having direct association with hypertension among the alcoholics.

4 , 9 , 2014