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Background and Purpose: 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 140/90mmHg 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 (PU0.006). 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 U0.04), as was treatment of hypertension (32.4%, adjusted P value U0.001). Control of hypertension was also lower in French Polynesia (8.8%, adjusted P value U0.001) 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%)., Conclusion: 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., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

Aim: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of overweight (excluding obesity) and obesity, and distribution of waist circumference, in children and adults in four French Overseas Territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana in the Caribbean and French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean)., Methods: The survey was designed to provide a sample representative of the population in each of the four territories. The protocol aimed to evaluate 600 adults (aged ≥ 15 years) and 300 children (aged: 5-14 years) in each territory., Results: In children, the differences were small among the territories in the prevalence of overweight (excluding obesity), as defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF): Guadeloupe, 15.4%; Martinique, 17.0%; French Guiana, 13.2%; and French Polynesia, 17.2% (P = 0.49). Larger, significant, differences were observed for obesity, with prevalences of 7.2%, 7.7%, 5.4% and 15.9%, respectively (P < 0.002). In adults, the prevalence of obesity also differed significantly among the territories: 22.9%, 22.0%, 17.9% and 33.1% in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and French Polynesia, respectively (P < 0.001, adjusted for age and gender). However, overweight (excluding obesity) was again more homogeneously distributed, with prevalences of 31.7%, 33.6%, 30.3% and 34.4%, respectively (P = 0.43, adjusted for age and gender). Waist circumference was larger in French Polynesia than in the other territories in both genders, and in both children and adults., Conclusion: While the distribution of overweight was relatively homogeneous, the prevalence of obesity differed considerably across the four territories. It was especially high in French Polynesia, and in children and women. Appropriate programmes are urgently needed in these populations, especially in children, to avoid the morbidity associated with obesity., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)