Nutritional status and blood pressures of adults in northern Gazankulu
Ijsselmuiden, C.B.
South African Medical Journal 67(19): 773-775
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 3992405 Document Number: 259518
A random cluster sample survey of 432 adults aged 21-60 yr was undertaken to increase available information on the nutritional status of the inhabitants of northern Gazankulu [South Africa] and to discover the prevalence and distribution of hypertension. Mainly owing to the migrant labor system, only 9.3% of the people in the sample were men. The present nutritional status of adults is adequate by anthropometric standards. The absence of a secular trend towards increased adult stature indicates that no major improvement in nutrition and socio-economic conditions has occurred in the last 20-60 yr. Mean blood pressures were found to increase with age, but the prevalence of hypertension is low compared to urban populations.