Relationship between the level of physical activity and body mass index to the risk of developing blood pressure among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates city: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Obesity affects both adults and children all over the world and it is a major causative factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, different types of cancer, and even death. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing high BP among overweight and obese young adults. Methodology: The study was carried out in the Thumbay Medi-city Northern Emirates, Ajman, UAE. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (CoHS, GMU (IRB-COHS-STD-110-JUNE-2023). Results: Out of 206 participants, 139 were overweight and 67 were obese. Further, 89 were found to have high normal BP, 93 normal BP, and 24 were found to have optimal blood pressure. The mean GPA scores were 322.8±62.28 in overweight individuals and 301.17±49.05 in obese individuals. Furthermore, among overweight and obese participants there is a weak correlation between PA & BMI (r=0.06, p= 0.88) and (r=0.15, p= 0.44) and the BP and BMI (r=0.18, p= 1.02) and (r= 0.16, p= 0.90) were found. Conclusion: Although PA, BMI, and BP are assumed to be related variables leading to various non-communicable diseases the present study showed a weak correlation between the level of PA and BMI to the risk of developing BP among overweight and obese young adults in the Northern Emirates.