Blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight were measured in a group of Ethiopian immigrants who arrived in Israel in 1991 after waiting some 6 months in Addis Ababa. The findings were compared with a previous group of Ethiopians who immigrated immediately after physical hardships and malnutrition. The recent arrivals had higher BP levels and higher Quetelet indices than the earlier group. BP values of > 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic were found in 15 of 102 newcomers (14.7%) in 1991, in contrast to < 1% in the earlier group. Our findings demonstrate an important effect of urbanisation in the same environment on rise in BP, probably through changes in lifestyle.

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immigrant lifestyle Israel Heart Rate blood pressure human controlled study comparative study Aged Urbanization Adolescent male environmental factor female Aged, 80 and over Jews Conference Paper Ethiopia major clinical study adult body weight malnutrition Emigration and Immigration body height systolic blood pressure diastolic blood pressure Middle Age