Prevalence of hypertension and its association with obesity among school children of Pune city, Maharashtra, India: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background:There   are numerous   psychological, physical and economic consequences of obesity. Conditions such  as type 2 diabetes  mellitus, hypertension  and  hypercholesterolemia, which were  noted  primarily  in  adults,  are  becoming  more  common among  children  with the  increase  in  the  prevalence  of  obesity. The objective of the study was to find out prevalence of hypertension and its association with obesity among school children.

Methods: The present cross sectional study was undertaken during July 2009 to April 2011 in   randomly selected 4 schools of Pune city. Total 1281 children between the age group of 10 to 15 years were examined after taking written informed consent of their parents using pre-designed, pre-tested, semi-structured performa. Anthropometric measurements were taken and BMI were calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were determined based on the IOTF (International Obesity Task Force) criteria. Blood pressure was measured in the left arm to the nearest 1 mmHg using an electronic machine (Omron Corporation Tokyo, Japan), with the participant seated in a relaxed position. Thus collected data was analyzed using   Microsoft Excel and Open- Epi Software. (Version 2.3)

Results: Out of 1281 children, 54.09% were males. Overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was 5.62% and 9.99% respectively. Overall, amongst  200  obese  and  overweight  children  identified, prevalence  of  hypertension   was  6%  and  that  of  pre hypertension   was  4.5% as  compared  to 1.25%  and  1.5% ,respectively among the normal  weight  children. Mean MAC (Mid Upper Arm Circumference) of obese and overweight was 24.8 cm and that of Normal weight children, was 19.1cm with standard deviations of 2.8 and 2.4 cm, respectively.  Average Waist-Hip ratio of obese and overweight was 0.87 and that of normal weight children, was 0.80. Mean SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure) of obese and overweight was 111 mm Hg and that of normal weight children was 107 mm of Hg. Mean DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure) of obese and overweight was 73 mm of Hg and that of normal weight was 69 mm of Hg.

Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements like Waist Hip Ratio, MAC and mean SBP and DBP among obese and overweight group of children were significantly higher as compared to normal weight group of children.