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Determinants of blood pressure distribution in school children

Anisa M Durrani1, Wasim Fatima

  • 1Department of Home Science, Faculty of Agricultureal Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India. anisamd@gmail.com

European Journal of Public Health
|April 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This study found that 9.4% of school children aged 12-16 had hypertension. Higher weight, height, and BMI were associated with elevated blood pressure, highlighting the need for regular screening in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hypertension affects approximately one billion people globally and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Preventable risk factors contribute to hypertension development, making early identification in children crucial for preventing complications.
  • This study focuses on determining blood pressure percentiles and their association with anthropometric variables in school-aged children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the percentile distribution of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in school children.
  • To investigate the association between blood pressure and anthropometric variables (weight, height, BMI) in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 701 school children aged 12-16 years in Aligarh, selected via stratified random sampling.
  • Standardized techniques were used to measure blood pressure, weight, and height; Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the Quetelet index.
  • Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviation, chi-square, and correlation coefficient using SPSS 12 software. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure above the 95th percentile.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of hypertension was 9.4% (66 out of 701 children), with 9.36% in boys and 9.46% in girls.
  • Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased with higher ranges of weight, height, and BMI.
  • A positive correlation was observed between children's blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Regular blood pressure screening in children is recommended to detect hypertension prevalence early.
  • Early detection allows for timely initiation of remedial measures to prevent serious complications.
  • Findings underscore the importance of monitoring anthropometric variables in relation to blood pressure in pediatric populations.
Abstract

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