Background: Relationship between obesity and hypertension is well established and hypertension shows positive relationship with all obesity indices. Objective: To determine the obesity indicator with the greatest sensitivity in predicting hypertension. Method: A cross-sectional community-based descriptive survey was carried out in Enugu Metropolis. Multistage sampling procedures were used to select participants using the World Health Organization STEPS instrument. Height, weight, waist circumference; hip circumference and blood pressure were measured and recorded. Results: A total of 482 participants were recruited; of which 160 (33.2%) and 322 (66.8%) were males and females respectively. 89 (18.5%) participants have high systolic blood pressure, 117(24.3%) have high diastolic blood pressure, while the overall hypertension prevalence is seen in 123 participants (25.5%). The blood pressure was noticed to increase as obesity increases regardless of the index of obesity used and that at WHR≥1 all the 15 participants (M:8, F:7m) that crossed that threshold were hypertensive regardless of age and sex demonstrating the sensitivity of WHR in predicting hypertension and associated cardiometabolic risks. Conclusion: obesity and hypertension are interrelated and common in our environment, all the indices of obesity show positive correlation with hypertension but WHR offers a simple index that can be used to detect occult hypertension in our clinics due its 100% correlation at the WHR threshold of ≥1.

Introduction: Annona muricata is a lowland tropical fruit bearing tree of the Annonaceae family which can be found in the rainforest of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. It is commonly known as soursop, graviola, guanabana, or brazillian pawpaw. It has a large, glossy, dark green leaves with edible, green heart-shaped fruit. The leathery skin of the fruit is covered with soft, curved spines each of which may contain 55-170 black seeds distributed in a creamy white flesh with a characteristic aroma and flavour. Objectives: The study aims to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Annona muricata on Lipopolysaccharide induced Neuroinflammation in Wistar rats. Method: Prostagladin E1 & E2 markers were used for biochemical assays. The Neurobehavioral assessment of memory and locomotion coordination was assessed using the Y maze and Open field and the data was presented as Mean ± Standard Error of Mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by a post hoc Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test. All statistical analysis were done by using Prism software, version 5 (GraphPad software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Results: The effects of ethanol extract of Annona muricata (AME) on PGE1 on lipopolysaccharide induced neuroinflammation in wistar rats shows the control, LPS, AME + LPS and Donepezil + LPS. From the result, LPS + Extract (AME) showed significant effects when compared to LPS which showed no significant effect when compared to control. The effects of ethanol extract of Annona muricata (AME) on % Alternation on lipopolysaccharide induced Neuroinflammation in wistar rats shows the control, LPS, AME + LPS and Donepezil + LPS. From the result LPS + Extract (AME) showed significant effects when compared to LPS. LPS showed no significant effect when compared to control. The effects of ethanol extract of Annona muricata (AME) on No of entry on lipopolysaccharide induced neuroinflammation in wistar rats shows the control, LPS, AME + LPS and Donepezil + LPS. From the result LPS + Extract (AME) showed no significant effects when compared to LPS which showed significant effect when compared to control. Conculsions: This study concludes that Annona muricata, at 200mg/kg possess excellent antiinflammatory qualities and it could be further explored as a potential choice for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.