Detection of hypertension and its relation to other cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents who request a medical fitness certificate for school

Abstract

Arterial hypertension (HTN) may begin in childhood and is related to other risk factors, such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. In this study, the prevalence of HTN was estimated and the factors associated with it were assessed in adolescents aged 15- 19 years who attended the Center for Health and Community Action no. 12 to request their medical fitness certificate for school. The following data were collected: age, sex, family history of HTN, current smoking, physical activity, weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressure. A total of 289 adolescents were assessed; their mean age was 16.6 years. Among them, 48.6 % were males; 6.6 % had HTN; 10.9 % were obese; and 13.4 % had a larger waist circumference. The presence of HTN was significantly associated with obesity and a larger waist circumference, but no significant association was observed with the other studied outcome measures.