Background: There is linear relationship between high blood pressure and body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. This study deals with correlation of blood pressure with body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio among the Maghaya Dom population of Birbhum district, West Bengal.

Materials and methods: Altogether 304 adults Maghaya Dom (male: 151; female: 153) were studied. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by mercury sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure values were classified according to the report of JNC – 8. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard anthropometric techniques (Lohman, Roche, and Martorell 1988). Pearson coefficient of correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Both SBP and DBP mean values were higher among the males (SBP: 134.75; DBP: 88.12) than that of the females (SBP: 127.08; DBP: 84.34). A gradual increase of mean SBP and DBP is evident with the advancement of age among the females. But it is not true in case of males.

DISCUSSION: Results of coefficient of correlation values indicate that increase in blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio show higher mean in different classes in the females, which is not true in the males in studied population. Findings of the present study show that incidences of obesity, waist circumference and hip circumference are considerably higher among the females than their counterpart. These increment shows a linear order in the females, whereas among the females a different trend is perceptible.