Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are serious health problems which are on the rise world-wide. A positive family history is a key risk factor for having these diseases later in life. The present study was attempted to compare anthropometric and physical fitness parameters in healthy individuals with and without family history of hypertension and/ or diabetes and to examine if the magnitude of relevant associations vary with sociodemographic characteristics. The study was conducted on 177 healthy subjects of both sexes. Height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were recorded. Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Information regarding socio-economic status and family history of hypertension and / or type 2 diabetes mellitus was obtained. Subjects were made to exercise using modified Harvard step test protocol. Physical fitness index (PFI) was calculated from the total duration of stepping exercise and the post exercise pulse count during recovery. The results were analysed using unpaired students t-test and one way ANOVA to study association of family history with BMI, WHR, WHtR, PFI and socio-economic status. Observations showed that most subjects with a positive family history had significantly higher BMI, WHR, WHtR and lower PFI as compared to those without a positive family history. It can be concluded that apparently healthy individuals with a positive family history have higher anthropometric values and lower physical fitness, therefore at risk for developing these diseases later in life.

Keywords: Anthropometry, Physical fitness index, family history, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Dr Shivani Agarwal

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