Informatics Publishing Limited

Soubia Malik ¹, Naima Afzal ¹, Ayesha Javed ¹, Sadaf Ahmed ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, PK

Abstract

Body Mass Index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), Waist circumference (WC) and Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are frequently used indices to categorize underweight, overweight and obese individuals along with the characteristics like basal body conditions, and the proportion of fat stored on the body. Blood pressure within the arteries can be altered with the changes in these indices that may be an alarm of Hypertension or other cardiovascular harms. The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of BMI, BMR, Waist circumference and Waist to hip ratio on Blood pressure&how these parameters alter the blood pressure of normal human subjects. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 100 respondents (93% non-married) selected from Karachi and sample type is stratified random sampling, stratum is based on age i.e. 20-30 years. The respondent's demographic information and physical information; age, sex, marital status, level of education, weight, height, BMI, Waist circumferences, hip circumferences, blood pressure, BMR and waist/hip ratio were recorded. Data entries and data analysts were done using SPSS 16.0. BMI has a profound effect on WHR, waist circumference, and BMR and it was observed that an increase in the value of BMI results in increase WHR, waist circumference and BMR, hence establishing direct relation. However, increased BMI raises the systolic pressure&diastolic pressure; the same results are obtained for WHR, Waist circumference and BMR, as these are directly related to BMI.

Keywords

Body Mass Index, Basal Metabolic Rate, Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, Blood Pressure.

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Sikandar K. Sherwani ¹, Haroon Ahmed ², Sadaf Ahmed ³, Shamoon Naushad ⁴, Asma Bashir ⁵, Abdul Ghaffar ⁶

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, PK
2 Centre of Biotechnology & Microbiology, University of Peshawar-Peshawar, PK
3 Department of Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, PK
4 Advance Educational Institute and Research Center (AEIRC), Karachi, PK
5 Stem Cell Research Center, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi
6 Memon Department of Environmental Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, PK

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the current status of knowledge , level of awareness, attitude and concerning factors of water pipe (shisha) smoking among male university students of a major city of Pakistan i.e. Karachi. A total number of 400 university students were included in the study and 170 were found Shisha smokers, further analysis of the queries indicated 38.70% Shisha smokers university students smoke for the sake of removing frustration , 24.10% for pleasure, 16.20% to gain attention of apposite gender, 12.90% for passing leisure time and 8.06% to release stress. Moreover, 58.80% acquired this habit in their university life, while 23.50% adopted from their college life and 17.60% smokers also adopt since school days. Regarding medical complications associated with water pipe consumption 47.17% of Shisha consuming students were found aware of respiratory problems, 17.60% were aware of heart complications, while 35.29% of the students responded all vital organs like lungs, kidney and heart equally at risk if water pipe consumes habitually and on the other hand 5.80% shisha consuming students were found totally blind with their health. This survey reflects an increasing trend of Water pipe (Shisha) trend in young Pakistani students and no doubt, a matter of serious public health concern that would definitely injurious to their health. In this regard, Parental monitoring is necessarily to be taken from as a part of their social responsibility. In addition to this, there is seriously a dire need of strong legislature and its proper implementation in our Pakistani society to curb the mushroom growth of rising culture.

Keywords

Water Pipe Smoking, University Students.

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