title: High blood pressure and obesity: disparities among four French Overseas Territories.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The epidemiological characteristics of hypertension and obesity in French Overseas Territories (FOTs) have never been compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey included representative population-based samples of 602, 601, 620 and 605 men and women aged more than 15 years, respectively, from four FOTs of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, and French Polynesia. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure (BP) at least 140/90 mmHg or the current use of antihypertensive treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hypertension was 29.2% in Guadeloupe, 17.9% in French Guiana, 27.6% in Martinique and 24.5% in French Polynesia. Considering the Guadeloupe population as the reference group, prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower in French Guiana (P < 0.001), even after controlling for age and sex (P = 0.006). Awareness and treatment of hypertension were similar in French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe (68.8-75.1% and 69.0-73.4%, respectively). Awareness was lower in French Polynesia (50.0%, adjusted P value = 0.04), as was treatment of hypertension (32.4%, adjusted P value = 0.001). Control of hypertension was also lower in French Polynesia (8.8%, adjusted P value = 0.001) compared with the other territories (29.7-31.8%). French Polynesia had the highest prevalence of obesity (33.1%, adjusted P value < 0.001) as compared with the other territories (17.9-22.8%). It had also the largest population attributable fraction of hypertension due to obesity (35.5%) compared with Guadeloupe (13.3%), Martinique (12.3%) and French Guiana (23.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wide variations were observed in the prevalence and the management of hypertension between these FOTs, and an especially challenging low control of hypertension was found in French Polynesia. Obesity appears a key target to prevent hypertension, particularly in French Polynesia.
authors: Département de Cardiologie, Hopital de Fort de France, Toulouse, France. Jocelyn.inamo@chu-fortdefrance.fr
authors: Jocelyn
authors: J
authors: Inamo
authors: Jean-Loup
authors: JL
authors: Daigre
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Boissin
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Kangambega
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Larifla
authors: Helene
authors: H
authors: Chevallier
authors: Beverley
authors: B
authors: Balkau
authors: Didier
authors: D
authors: Smadja
authors: Andre
authors: A
authors: Atallah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005616:French Guiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D019430:Guadeloupe / Q000453:epidemiology; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011114:Polynesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents