In our finding, obesity was the major independent variable associated with hypertension detected
using both BMI and waist circumference for the determination of obesity. As we have
seen, the forces promoting sedentary behavior have grown substantially over the last few decades.
Urbanization is associated with changes in dietary habits and with reduced physical activity
that lead to obesity. Such changes of lifestyle and dietary habits contribute to the excess
prevalence of abdominal obesity in urban areas which eventually result in the increased prevalence
of hypertension [[13]. Urbanization is associated with changes in dietary habits and exercises
that lead to obesity which have been implicated as contributing factors in the
development of high blood pressure.
Alcohol consumption was significantly associated with high blood pressure in the study
population. About 81% of the rural study population reported regular alcohol consumption.
Previous research indicated that heavy alcohol consumption was a risk factor for high blood
pressure