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Blood pressure tracking in Korean schoolchildren
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
International Journal of Epidemiology
|August 1, 1994
Summary
This study found strong evidence for blood pressure tracking in Korean school children aged 6-11. Blood pressure levels in childhood are a good predictor of levels in pre-adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Child Development
Background:
- Mixed results exist regarding blood pressure tracking in children and adolescents.
- This longitudinal study investigated blood pressure tracking in 304 Korean school children over 5 years (ages 6-11).
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the extent and consistency of blood pressure tracking in pre-pubertal children.
- To analyze blood pressure tracking using established statistical methods, including McMahan's tracking index.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal follow-up of 304 Korean school children from age 6 to 11.
- Analysis included relative ranking, percentile groups, time-lag correlation, and McMahan's tracking index (tau).
Main Results:
- Strong evidence for blood pressure tracking was observed during the pre-teen years.
- McMahan's tracking index (tau) indicated significant tracking for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in males and females.
- Systolic BP tau: 0.877 (males), 0.792 (females); Diastolic BP tau: 0.924 (males), 0.762 (females).
Conclusions:
- The study supports the existence of blood pressure tracking in children.
- Further research is needed to explore the impact of puberty and incorporate biological/behavioral factors for preventive interventions.