Prevalence of lifestyle diseases among Hindu priests of Central India

Abstract

Background: Major risk factors for lifestyle diseases are present with priest’s lifestyle. Daily responsibility of priests includes, sitting mostly for long working hours & taking high calorie diet in form of Prasad. Predisposition to these may give rise to lifestyle diseases. Aim: To assess prevalence of lifestyle diseases (obesity & hypertension) among Hindu priests Method: A cross-sectional study done. Total sample size was 440. Simple random sampling was done. A pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire contained Physical activity level (GPPAQ) & daily dietary calorie intake (24-hour recall). BMI & BP was measured. Results: Mean systolic & diastolic blood pressure of study participants were 131.25 ± 14.4 & 88.16 ± 10.4 respectively. 149(33.9%) of study participant were normal, 127(28.9%) High Normal, 108(24.5%) Grade 1 Hypertension, 32 (7.3%) in Grade 2 Hypertension& 24 (5.5%) were Optimal. Mean BMI of participants was 22.6 (SD ± 3.9). 277(63.0%) were normal, 88(20.0%) Pre-Obese, 47(10.7%) Underweight, 24(5.5% Obese Class I & 4 (0.9%) with Obese Class II. 188(42.7%) of study participant were inactive, 104(23.6%) moderately active, 88(20.0%) moderately inactive & 60(13.6) active. 224(50.9%) of study participant were having calorie intake over of recommended value, 176(40.0%) adequate intake & 40(9.1%) were deficient in their daily calorie intake. Statistically significant association was seen between hypertension with Obesity & Physical activity. Conclusion: Priests have an inactive lifestyle with high daily calorie intake which resulted in lifestyle diseases like obesity (6%) & hypertension (32%).

Key words: Priest, Obesity, Hypertension, level of physical activity, Ujjain.