RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To compare the occurrence and to determine relationship of dietary practices with hypertension between housewives and working women.. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Karachi University and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from January to April 2015, and comprised working women and housewives who were enrolled using convenient sampling. Data was collected on consumption of fruits, vegetables, poultry/fish and fast food. Blood pressure and body mass index were noted and interpreted according to World Health Organisation classification for Asian population. Normal reference range of blood pressure was taken as Systolic100-120mmHg, Diastolic 60-90 mmHg, and mean value as 120/80mmHg. Data analysis was done using SPSS17. RESULTS: There were 600 subjects; with 300(50%) housewives and as many working women. Mean age of housewives was 35.56}7.53 years, and that of employed women 35.44}6.65 years. Among the housewives, 96(32%) had normal blood pressure while the corresponding number in the other group was 198(66%) (p<0.001). In terms of relationship body mass index with hypertension, out of the 204(68%) hypertensive housewives, 90(44.1%) were overweight, and of the 102 hypertensive working women, 40(39.23%) had normal weight range. Most housewives reported a sedentary lifestyle as opposed to working women (p<0.001).. CONCLUSIONS: Being a housewife was in itself found to be a contributing factor in hypertensive disorders.