Indigenous peoples in Brazil are experiencing rapid epidemiologic and nutritional transition, with non-communicable diseases such as hypertension emerging in their health profile. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 Suruí Indian villages (n-251 subjects) in Rondônia, Brazilian Amazon, in 2005, in order to assess blood pressure levels in adults (>20 years of age), as well as to investigate its possible relationship with nutritional and socioeconomic status (SES). Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher in men. On average, an increase in SBP of 7.9 mmHg and of 1.4 mmHg in women and men, respectively, was detected. SBP was positively correlated with waist-hip ratio (WHR) in both sexes and with age in women. DBP showed statistically significant correlations with all anthropometric variables, except height and arm muscle area. The prevalence of hypertension was 2.8% (M: 2.4%, F: 3.1%), being higher in subjects > 40 years with PC or high WHR, especially in women and also in the group that manifested lower SES. The study concludes that hypertension is an emerging health problem among the Suruí.
Blood pressure; Anthropometrics; South American Indians; Amazon
