Anthropometric correlates of blood pressure among school children in Nagpur city, central India: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Context: On the basis of emerging evidence, it is now apparent that primary hypertension is detectable in the young and that it occurs commonly. The longterm health risks for hypertensive children and adolescents can be substantial. Early diagnosis of hypertension (HT) is an important strategy in its control. Previous studies have documented that hypertension may begin in adolescence, perhaps even in childhood. Aims: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and its correlation with anthropometric variables like height, weight and body mass index (BMI) among school-going children in Nagpur city, Central India. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study done in one randomly selected school. Materials and Methods: School-going children aged between 12 and 16 years were included in the study. The weight and height were measured using a standard procedure. Blood pressure measurements were taken by a mercury sphygmomanometer. Hypertension was diagnosed if blood pressure was more than 95th percentile for the age and height. The distributions of blood pressure by anthropometric characteristics were studied. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient and χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 11.77%. Blood pressure of both genders appears to have positive correlation with anthropometric characteristics. Conclusions: Increase in anthropometric measurements like height, weight and BMI were found to be positively correlated with hypertension among school children in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Medicine & Public Health is the property of SCIBIOLMED.ORG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)