Hypertension in Alaska natives: Association with overweight, glucose intolerance, diet and mechanized activity

Abstract

Objective. Determine the prevalence of hypertension in Alaska Natives and evaluate risk factors. Design. Population‐based univariate and multivariate analysis of blood pressure in 1124 Alaska Natives over 20 years of age. Results. The sample had mean: age 45 years, body mass index 27, systolic pressure 123 mmHg and diastolic pressure 73 mmHg. The age‐adjusted rate of hypertension ≥ 160/95 mmHg was 9.1% and 6.8% among Athabascan Indians and Yup'ik Eskimos, respectively. After controlling for age and sex there was significantly more hypertension among Athabascan Indians (OR=1.53, CI = 1.07–2.2, p = 0.019) compared to Yup'ik Eskimos. Race was significantly associated with blood pressure 3 ≥ 140/90 when controlled for age and overweight (p = 0.07, OR = 0.78, CI = 0.69–0.95). The presence of hypertension was significantly associated with the following: intake of non‐indigenous food (p = 0.01); mechanized activities (p = 0.01); and glucose intolerance in both women (p = 0.043) and men (p = 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed age (OR = 1.06, CI= 1.05–1.08) and overweight in both men (OR = 3.02, Cl= 1.85–4.93) and women (OR = 2.76, CI= 1.81–4.19) to be significantly associated with BP ≥ 140/ 90. Conclusion. Hypertension is no longer rare in Alaska Natives and is associated with overweight, non‐indigenous diet, mechanized activities, and glucose intolerance.