Alcohol consumption, obesity and hypertension: Relationship patterns along different age groups in Uganda

Abstract

IntroductionUganda is experiencing a significant increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases including hypertension and obesity. Frequent alcohol use is also highly prevalent in Uganda and is a key risk factor for both hypertension and obesity. This study determines the trends of frequent alcohol consumption, hypertension and obesity across different age groups, and the extent to which alcohol consumption affects the two.MethodsThe data were extracted from the 2014 National Non-communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey (N=3,987) conducted among adults aged 18 to 69 years. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHG or diastolic blood pressure ≥90. Obesity was defined as body mass index >30 kg/m2. Frequent alcohol consumption was defined as alcohol use 3 or more times a week. Multivariable log binomial regression analysis was carried out for each of the two outcome variables against age group and controlled for frequency of alcohol consumption and few other independent factors. Non-parametric tests were used to compare trends of prevalence ratios across age groups. Modified Poisson regression was use in few instances when the model failed to converge.ResultsThe results showed increasing trend in the prevalence of hypertension and frequent alcohol consumption but a declining trend for obesity along different age groups (p<0.01). Frequency of alcohol consumption did not significantly modify the age group-hypertension and age group-obesity relationships although the effect was significant with ungrouped age. There was significance in difference of fitted lines for hypertension prevalence ratios between frequent drinkers and mild drinkers and between abstainers and frequent drinkers. Alcohol consumption did not have any significant effect on obesity-age group relationship.ConclusionThe results call for more research to understand the effect of alcohol on the hypertension-age relationship, and the obesity-age relationship. Why prevalence ratios for hypertension decline among those who take alcohol most frequently is another issue that needs further research.

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