Exploring the Relationships Between Obesity, Cholesterol, and Hypertension: a Cross-Sectional Study in Indonesia

Obesity is a non-communicable disease closely related to increased cholesterol levels and hypertension. According to the Ministry of Health, the prevalence of obesity in Indonesia is expected to grow from 1.6% to 23.4% by 2023. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between obesity, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. The methodology employed for the research was descriptive and utilized a cross-sectional approach. The sample for the study included 285 individuals. Data were collected using a purposive sampling method with BMI ≥ 25. Data analysis used the chi-square test for categorical data and the Spearman test for numerical data. According to the findings from the analysis of categorical data, no meaningful connection was found between BMI, cholesterol (p = 0.918), and blood pressure (p = 0.139). In the numerical analysis, a notable inverse relationship was discovered between BMI and cholesterol levels (p = 0.037). There was a positive correlation between cholesterol levels and blood pressure categories (p = 0.002) and between cholesterol levels and systolic pressure (p = 0.001). A significant relationship was found between age and BMI (p = 0.019), cholesterol levels (p = 0.028), and blood pressure (p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between sex and cholesterol levels (p < 0.001).Obesity can be harmful to young people, adults, and the elderly. While obesity was not strongly linked, it was identified as a risk factor for higher cholesterol levels and high blood pressure.