Blood pressure levels in south Indian adolescents

The present study was undertaken to develop normative data for the blood pressure (BP) levels in adolescent boys and girls aged 10-17 years residing the rural and urban areas of North Arcot Ambedkar District, Tamil Nadu State. Blood pressures were evaluated as part of an ongoing study on growth and development in adolescents. A total of 7028 BP measurements collected cross-sectionally were subjected to statistical analysis. The mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure levels were elevated in rural children as compared to that in urban children of respective sexes during 10 and 15 years of age. The mean BP levels were higher in both the rural and urban girls as compared to their male counterparts till the age of 15, after which the trend was reversed. While the mean SBP and DBP levels for rural children of either sex were stable over the age range considered, those for urban children exhibited consistent increase with age. In urban boys, the yearly mean increments in SBP and DBP were 2.5 mm Hg and 2.0 mm Hg and that in urban girls 2.4 mm Hg and 1.7 mm Hg, respectively. It is suggested that perhaps stress factors are responsible for the elevated mean BP levels among the rural adolescents as they are generally engaged in activities that exert considerable physical and psychological stress.