1 in every 4 Pinoy adults has hypertension - FNRI survey

MANILA, Philippines - A recent survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) showed that more Filipinos are at-risk for lifestyle-related diseases.

Results of the recent National Nutrition and Health Survey done by the FNRI found that more Filipinos have hypertension, high fasting blood sugar, and high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related illnesses.

The survey revealed that one in every four Filipino adults (25.3 percent) has hypertension or a blood pressure (BP) reading equal to or higher than 140/90 millimeter mercury (mmHg).

“The prevalence of hypertension significantly increased from 22.5 percent in 2003 to 25.3 percent in 2008 based on single BP determination,” the FNRI said.

The study also showed that 11 in every 100 Filipinos (10.8 percent) have pre-hypertension or a BP reading in the range of 130-139/85-89 mmHg. High BP increases from 40 to 49 years old, it said.

The survey also showed that five in 100 Filipinos (five percent) have high fasting blood sugar, an indicator of diabetes mellitus.

“The prevalence increased, though not significant, from 2003 with 3.4 percent to 4.8 percent in 2008. The prevalence of high fasting blood sugar or hyperglycemia peaks at age 50-59 years,” the agency said.

Moreover, the survey showed that three in every 100 Filipinos have impaired fasting glucose, which may progress to diabetes mellitus in a few years if not treated.

Hyperglycemia is a fasting blood sugar level greater than 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), while impaired fasting glucose is in the range of 110-125 mg/dL. Dyslipidemia or abnormal lipid levels significantly increased from 2003 to 2008.

The survey showed that one in every 10 (10.2 percent) Filipino adults has high total cholesterol level, while 21 in every 100 (21.2 percent) are borderline high.

Furthermore, 15 in every 100 (14.6 percent) have high triglyceride level, while 16 in every 100 (15.5 percent) are borderline high.

“The prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) level increased from 54.2 percent in 2003 to 64.1 percent in 2008. In contrast, the prevalence of high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) level did not change much, from 11.7 percent in 2003 to 11.8 percent in 2008,” the FNRI said.

A person is considered to have a low HDL level if the fasting blood measurement is less than 40 mg/dl while a high LDL level of the fasting blood measurement is greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl, it explained.

“These lifestyle-related diseases are among the diseases that currently dominate the list of leading causes of death in the country. These are also leading causes of morbidity, particularly diseases of the heart and the vascular system,” it said.

FNRI said the government is intensively campaigning for healthy lifestyle to prevent these risk factors and diseases.

“The healthy lifestyle campaign promotes transformation of various settings into healthy settings, such as healthy workplace, healthy-eating place, healthy communities and healthy schools, among others,” it said.

“Filipinos should exercise regularly, avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages,” the agency said.

FNRI also suggests eating a variety of foods everyday, consuming more fruits, vegetables, root crops and legumes, as these are rich sources of fiber that help lower cholesterol level and prolong the response time of the body to blood glucose levels, and limiting the intake of salty foods to help prevent hypertension.