Health behaviors and anthropometric variables among older adults with and without hypertension

Abstract

The objective was to describe socioeconomic, demographic and morbidity and compare the prevalence and odds of prevalence of health behaviors, overweight, abdominal circumference and indicative of depression among those with and without hypertension. It is cross-sectional study of rural elderly. We conducted descriptive analysis, chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression (p<0,05). Predominated, for both groups, age 60├70, married, 4├8 years, income of a minimum wage and living with their spouse. Elderly patients with hypertension had lower odds of prevalence for alcohol and smoking and higher odds of overweight, abdominal circumference inappropriate and indicative of depression compared to those without hypertension. Reinforces health actions directed to the rural elderly, through the cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption, weight control and reduction of abdominal circumference among those with hypertension.