Publication:

Prevalence of hypertension and obesity in children aged 6-18 years in a city of Central India: a cross-sectional study

Background Historically, hypertension in children was deemed uncommon and primarily attributable to underlying medical illnesses, such as renal or endocrine abnormalities. However, this phenomenon is evolving, as a growing proportion of youngsters are now being diagnosed with primary (essential) hypertension, a disorder formerly believed to impact mainly adults. Objective was to study prevalence of hypertension and obesity in children aged 6-18 years.

Methods School-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 1000 school children of age 6-18 years. Height, weight and body mass index were measured and classified as per standard guidelines. Blood pressure was measured and classified as per standard guidelines.

Results Prevalence of obesity and overweight was 10.6% and 14.6% respectively and combined was 24.8%. Prevalence of obesity decreased as age increased from 6-7 years (12.7%) to 11-12 years (7.5%) and increased to 14.5% at 16-18 years. Prevalence of hypertension was 4.1%. It was 2.5% in 11-12 years and increased to 8.5% in 16-18 years. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was statistically not different in males and females (p=0.6347) and as per school type (p=0.1699). Prevalence of prehypertension and stage-1 hypertension was not much different in the males and females (p=4162).

Conclusions Prevalence of overweight, obesity, pre-hypertension and stage-1 hypertension was quite high in this study population. The factors like gender and school types were not associated with overweight, obesity, pre-hypertension and stage-1 hypertension.