Abstract
BackgroundThis study examines the association between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and the prevalence of hypertension among elderly individuals in rural Southwest China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 4833 consenting adults aged ≥ 60 years in rural regions of Yunnan Province, China, was conducted in 2017. Data on individual socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity level, and family history of hypertension were collected with a standardized questionnaire. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, height, weight, and waist circumference were also measured. An individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to analyse the association between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and the prevalence of hypertension.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension was 50.6% in the study population. Body fat distribution, including measures of obesity and central obesity, had the greatest total effect on hypertension (0.21), followed by family history of hypertension (0.14), biological sex (0.08), sleep quality (− 0.07), SEP (− 0.06), physical inactivity (0.06), and diabetes (0.06). Body fat distribution, SEP, and family history of hypertension had both direct and indirect effects on hypertension, whereas physical inactivity, diabetes, and sleep quality were directly associated with the prevalence of hypertension. Biological sex was indirectly associated with the prevalence of hypertension.ConclusionsSEP, body fat distribution, physical inactivity, diabetes, and sleep quality critically influence the prevalence of hypertension. Future interventions to prevent and control hypertension should give increased attention to individuals with low SEP and should focus on controlling diabetes and obesity, increasing physical activity levels, and improving quality of sleep among older adults aged ≥ 60 years in rural Southwest China.
Highlights
IntroductionThe prevalence of hypertension is higher in lowand middle-income countries than in high-income countries, especially among older adults aged ≥ 60 years [3], and hypertension is a preventable risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and kidney disease in older adults
This study examines the association between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and the prevalence of hypertension among elderly individuals in rural Southwest China
The findings indicate that body fat distribution, socioeconomic position (SEP), and family history of hypertension have both direct and indirect effects on hypertension, while physical inactivity, diabetes, and sleep quality are directly associated with hypertension and biological sex is indirectly associated with hypertension
Summary
The prevalence of hypertension is higher in lowand middle-income countries than in high-income countries, especially among older adults aged ≥ 60 years [3], and hypertension is a preventable risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and kidney disease in older adults. The prevalence of hypertension is sharply increasing due to the ageing of the global population, low physical activity levels, and increased BMI [4]. The overall prevalence of hypertension in China increased from 18% in 2002 to 29.6% in 2010 among adults [7]. The prevalence of hypertension increased from 60.1% to 65.2% between 2001 and 2010 among urban residents aged ≥ 60 years [8]. As the population ages and the prevalence of hypertension increases, China is facing an increasingly serious challenge to manage the economic cost of hypertension and its complications
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