Lifestyles, glucose tolerance and blood pressure in male self-defence officials in northern Kyushu, Japan.

Evidence on determinants of BP is mostly derived from studies in western populations. The relationship of BP with lifestyle variables and glucose tolerance was studied in 1,302 male self-defence officials aged 49-56 years who received a health examination before retirement at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital from October 1986 to December 1988. Those with treated hypertension or diabetes mellitus and those with conditions affecting BP levels were excluded from the study. In multiple regression analysis, alcohol use, body mass index and glucose intolerance were strongly associated with elevated BP while there was an inverse relation between cigarette smoking and BP. Physical activity expressed as the time spent in vigorous exercise was not associated with either systolic or diastolic BP. These findings indicate that alcohol use, obesity and glucose intolerance are also important determinants of BP in male Japanese, and that cigarette smoking is a potential covariate in the study of BP.