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

Abstract

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.